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©KlA[IiftL[IS  "^A[P3  [BrC!F3Ti}{]afl~/®[r,Ri,:,  IPSIDRITEIS. 


AGRICULTURE 


N  E  W  -  Y  0  R  K  : 


coMPKISI^•^, 


AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CLASSIFICATION,  COMPOSITION  AND  DISTRIBUTION 
OF  THE  SOILS  AND  ROCKS, 

AND    OF   THE    CLIMATE   AND   AGRICULTURAL    rRODUCTIONS   OF   THE   STATE  ; 


TOGETHER   WITH    DESCRIPTIONS    OP 

THE  MOKE  COMMON  AND  INJURIOUS  SPECIES  OF  INSECTS. 


BY  E.  EMMONS,  M.D. 


VOLUME  V. 


ALBANY : 

PRINTED  BY  C.  VAN  BENTHUYSEN. 
1854. 


TO  T.  ROMEYN  BECK,  M.D..  LL.D. 


SIR 


There  is  more  than  one  reason  why  the  conckiding  divisions  of  the 
present  work,  undertaken  to  explore  and  ilkistrate  the  natural  history 
of  the  State  of  New- York,  and  conducted  under  legislative  patronage, 
should  be  dedicated  to  you.  You  were  among  the  first  to  foster  the 
enterprise,  and  remained  its  consistent  advocate  in  times  when  adverse 
circumstances  seemed  to  jeopardize  its  continuance  :  much  more  than 
this,  your  whole  life  has  been  assiduously  engaged  in  promoting  the 
advance  of  science  and  the  spread  of  popular  education,  and  the 
published  results  of  your  scientific  and  literary  labors  may  be  referred 
to  as  reflecting  an  honor  upon  your  native  State.  Would  that  the 
merits  of  the  present  volume  were  such  as  to  render  it  more  worthy 
its  dedication. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.] 


PREFACE. 

1  HAVE  not  attempted,  in  the  preparation  of  this  work,  to  place  before  my 
readers  an  account  of  all  the  rare  and  newly  discovered  insects  of  New- 
York  and  New-England,  but  have  confined  myself  to  those  which  are  most 
common  and  widely  distributed.  The  rare  and  the  local  possess  an  interest 
in  the  eyes  of  the  learned  ;  but  those  which  gre  daily  met  with  in  the  fields 
and  in  our  walks,  are  the  ones  oiu-  interests  demand  us  to  know  :  the  former 
do  neither  harm  nor  good ;  but  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  forms  and 
habits  of  the  common  and  widely  spread,  is  an  indispensable  preliminary 
towards  enabling  the  husbandman  to  take  advantage  of  the  services  they 
may  be  made  to  render  him,  or  to  protect  his  premises  and  the  fruits  of  his 
labor  from  the  depredations  of  noxious  broods.  This  view  has  mainly  con- 
trolled our  undertaking  :  as  the  Avork  is  designed  for  those  who  are  supposed 
to  be  mere  beginners  in  entomology,  and  perhaps  intend  to  prosecute  the 
study  no  farther  than  practical  results  will  warrant,  it  was  thought  fit  to 
restrict  the  field  of  investigation  to  such  insects  as  are  sufliciently  numerous 
to  interfere  in  some  way  with  the  prosperity  or  comforts  of  the  dwellers  in 
this  northern  portion  of  our  country. 

One  part  of  my  labor  has  been  to  collect  materials  in  the  field,  and  an- 
other to  collect  them  from  the  researches  of  others,  the  latter  item  con- 
stituting doubtlessly  the  largest  and  most  valuable  portion  of  the  entire 
work ;  but  it  is  confidently  believed  that  naturalists  and  authors  who  have 
contributed  largely  to  the  common  stock  of  entomological  knowledge,  and 
thereby  earned  and  received  a  high  and  enduring  reputation,  will  not  be 
disposed  to  object  to  the  diffusion  of  information  fraught  with  such  great 
consequence  to  the  welfare  of  community.  These  distinguished  investigators 
are  honored  by  their  discoveries ;  bvit  their  discoveries  require  to  be  made 
known  to  all  the  world,  to  the  end  that  their  results  may  redound  to  the 
common  good  of  the  human  family. 


After  saying  thus  much  in  general,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that 
this  work  is  designed  to  disseminate  the  information  collected  from  various 
periodicals  in  which  it  was  first  gathered,  and  from  expensive  books  of  the 
day  in  which  a  large  amount  is  almost  inaccessibly  stored  up,  but  is  not 
expected  to  add  much  to  the  materials  of  knowledge  already  accumulated. 

"We  have  been  poorly  supplied  with  the  means  of  promoting  the  study  of 
entomology  in  this  country,  notwithstanding  we  have  among  us  such  men 
as  the  Leconte's  elder  and  younger,  who  both  stand  in  the  first  rank  of 
entomologists  ;  but  it  is  unfortunate  that  their  classical  works  are  mostly 
confined  to  the  libraries  of  the  learned. 

I  have  made  the  freest  use  of  Dr.  Harris's  excellent  and  practical  Avorks ; 
and  have  also  been  very  much  assisted  by  our  distinguished  entomologist. 
Dr.  Asa  Fitch  of  Salem,  Washington  county,  N.  Y. 

I  have  occasion  also  to  acknowledge  a  further  indebtedness  to  Mr.  Hal- 
DEMAN  of  Columbia  (Pennsylvania),  who  enjoys  a  European  reputation  as  a 
naturalist,  for  several  valuable  notes  on  various  insects ;  and  could  his  as- 
sistance have  been  still  farther  procured,  the  value  of  my  work  would  un- 
doubtedly have  been  greatly  enhanced. 

I  have  figured  such  insects  as  I  have  seen,  and  know  to  belong  to  New- 
York  and  NeAv-England  ;  but  I  have  not  seen  them  in  all  their  states,  and 
am  therefore  frequently  indebted  to  others  for  the  figures  given  of  the  larva 
and  pupa  stages.  Some  are  copied  from  Abbott  &  Smith's  work  on  the  in- 
sects of  Georgia,  and  some  from  other  Avorks  of  like  kind.  I  have  figured 
very  few  foreign  species,  and  these  have  had  some  special  purpose  in  view. 

The  figures  have  been  drawn  from  specimens  of  the  insects  themselves, 
by  E.  Emmons  junior,  and  are  faithful  and  accurate  portraits  of  the  indivi- 
duals from  which  they  Avere  taken.  It  is  difficult,  howcA'er,  to  secure  a 
finished  and  uniform  coloring,  especially  for  so  large  an  edition  as  three 
thousand  copies. 

I  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  point  out  the  faults  of  this  volume  ;  for  the 
keen-sighted,  and  those  Avho  are  disposed  to  look  after  them,  Avill  find  them 
Avith  little  trouble.  I  am  persuaded,  however,  that  the  general  reader,  as 
well  as  the  student,  will  find  in  it  many  valuable  records.     E.  EMMONS. 

Albany,  -July  25,  1854. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


General  Considerations  . . 


1-7 


CHAPTER  n. 

SKETCH  OF  THE  ANATOMY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY  OF  INSECTS. 

Function  of  digestion —  Circulation —  Nervous  system  —  Senses  of 


Anatomical  description  of  parts 

touch,  hearing,  smell,  sight  and  taste 


Circulation - 
■  Muscular  motion — Function  of  propagation,  pp.  7 


Appendix  to  Chapter  II,  embracing  references  to   Plates  A,  B  and  E 


pp.25 


24 
28 


CHAPTER  III. 


Remarks  on  the  classification  of  insects 


pp.  29,  30 


CHAPTERS  IV  TO  XL 


ORDER  I.  COLEOPTERA 

PI 

).  31  -  I3S 

ClCINDELlD^ 

.     p.  32 

Carabid^ 

38 

DyTICIDjE 

55 

NiTIDULIDiE 

58 

Engid^ 

59 

STAPHTLINID.ffi 

61 

Byrrhid^ 

66 

HlSTERID^ 

66 

LUCANID^ 

66; 

Geotrupid^   .  . 

6T 

SCARAB^ID^                   .  . 

68 

Troqid^ 

70 

DrNASTiD.a: 

71 

MELOLONTHIDiB 

71 

BUPRESTID^     .  . 

83 

Elaterid^ 

86 

Lampyrid^    . . 

89 

[Agricultural  Report — Vol.  v.]             b 

CONTENTS. 

Telephorid^  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  p.  90 

Clerid^         . .  . .  . .  . ,  . .  . .  . .  91 

PtinidjE         . .  . .  . .  .  .  . .  .  .  . .  92 

Ltmexylonid^  . .  , .  . .  . .  . .  . .  92 

bostrichidje  93 

PYROCIIROIDiE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  96 

CantharidjB  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  96 

CiSTELIDiE         .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  97 

DiAPERIDiE       ,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  97 

Helopid^       . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  98 

Tenebrionid^  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  98 

BlapsidjE       . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  98 

PlMELIID^         .  .  .  ^  98 

Bruchid^       ..  .,  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  100 

Attelabid^e  . .  , ,  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  106 

curculionid^  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  107 

ScOLYTIDiE        .,  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  112 

Prionid^       ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  115 

Cerambycid^  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  116 

Lepturid^     . .  . .  . .  . .  . ,  . .  . .  125 

Criocerid^   . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  . .  129 

Cassidid^      . .  . .  . .  . ,  . .  . .  . .  130 

Chrysomelid^  . .  , .  . .  . .  , .  . .  130 

GALERUCIDiE    .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  133 

COCCINELLID^  136 


CHAPTER  XII. 
ORDEK  II.  EUPLEXOPTERA      p.  139 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
OEDER  III.  ORTHOPTERA pp 

BtiATTIDiE 

Mantid^ 
Phasmid^ 
aciietid^ 
Gryllid.5; 

LoCtJSTID^ 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
ORDER  IV.  APHANIPTERA p.  148 


140 

-14 

•  P 

141 

142 

142 

143 

144 

145 

CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

ORDER  V.  HOMOPTERA 

ClCADID^ 

Membracid^ 
Aphidid^     . . 

COCCID^ 


pp 


149 


166 
p.  149 
153 

168 
162 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
ORDER  VI.  HETEROPTERA    . . 

HyDROMETRIDjB 

Reduviid^  . . 

Lygjeid^ 

Cimicid;e 

COREID^ 
ScuTELLARIDjE 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
ORDER  VII.  DIPTERA  . . 

TiPULIDjE 

MusciD^ 
Tabanid^     . . 
Xtlophagid^ 
Sykphid^ 


pp 

.  166  -  171 

.  p.  167 

168 

169 

169 

170 

171 

pp 

172-18S 

p.  173 

181 

182 

183 

183 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
ORDER  VIII.  NEUROPTERA  . . 

LlBELLULID^ 

Myrmeleonid^ 

EpHEMERIDjE 


pp. 

184  - 18 

,  , 

p.  184 

185 

187 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

ORDERpx.  TRICHOPTERA    .. 


p.  188 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

ORDER  X.  HYMENOPTERA 

pp.  189  -  197 

Tenthredinid^ 

p.  190 

Ukocerid^ 

191 

ICHNEUMONID^             

193 

Sphegidje 

195 

EVANIID^       .  . 

196 

SCOLIID^ 

197 

CHAPTERS  XXI  &  XXH. 

ORDER  XI.  LEPIDOPTEEA 

pp.  198  -  256 

Papilionid^ 

p.  199 

Heliconiid^ 

202 

NTMPHALIDiE                 

206 

Lyc^nid^    .  , 

214 

Hesperid^    . . 

215 

Sphingid^    . . 

216 

^GEEIDjE 

222 

LlTHOSIID^    .  . 

224 

Arctiid^ 

225 

LiPARIDiE 

230 

Saturn  lAD^ 

231 

Lasiocampad^ 

234 

Hepialid^ 

241 

NOTODONTID^               

241 

Nonagriad^ 

243 

Agrotid^     . . 

243 

NOCTUID^ 

244 

Geojietrid^            . .     ... 

248 

TortricidjE 

250 

Yponomeutidje 

252 

Tineid^e        

252 

INSECTS  OF  lEW-YORK. 


CHAPTER  1. 


GENERAL  CONSIDERATIONS. 


The  common  idea  of  an  insect  is,  probably,  sufficiently  exact  for  all  practical  purposes ; 
yet  it  seems  proper  that  the  scientific  idea  should  be  expressed  :  indeed  it  is  always  im- 
portant to  define  clearly  the  limits  of  all  departments  of  Natural  History,  by  stating  in 
determinate  language  the  boundaries  which  confine  them.  Insects,  then,  are  animals  whose 
bodies  are  covered  with  a  coriaceous  integument ;  and  they  are  divided  into  three  distinct 
segments  or  sections,  the  'head,  thorax,  and  abdomen.  The  head  is  provided  with  two  an- 
tennae ;  the  thorax,  with  six  articulated  legs ;  and  the  abdomen  with  many  rings,  and 
contains  the  digestive  organs  :  the  sexes  are  distinct.  They  have  a  respiratory,  circulatory 
and  nervous  apparatus  :  the  first  permeates  the  whole  body ;  the  second  consists  mainly 
of  a  long  vessel  extending  through  the  body,  and  is  called  a  dorsal  vessel,  from  the 
position  it  occupies  ;  the  third  is  a  symmetrical  arrangement  of  nervous  threads  in  two 
lines,  placed  upon  the  abdominal  face,  and  connect3d  by  knots  or  ganglia  at  every  ring  of 
the  body.  The  breathing  is  performed  through  small  openings  along  the  sides  of  the  ab- 
domen, at  every  ring  :  the  air  admitted  permeates  the  whole  system,  and  acts  upon  the 
fluids  as  in  all  animals.  The  most  interesting  peculiarities,  however,  consist  in  the  changes 
which  the  insect  imdergoes  dimng  its  stages  of  growth,  which,  although  the  developments 
are  not  more  remarkable  than  in  other  departments  of  the  animal  kingdom,  yet  difier  from 
the  higher  in  being  stationary  for  certain  periods,  during  which  it  performs  the  functions 
of  a  perfect  animal,  except  indeed  that  which  belongs  to  the  exercise  of  the  sexual  ojk- 
gans.  These  changes  are  called  metamorphoses,  and  consist  of  three  stages,  the  toonn  or 
larva,  the  pupa,  and  the  perfect  insect. 

[AcRICnLTUBAL   RePOET  —  VoL.  V.]  1 


2  GENERAL    CONSIDERATIONS. 

Insects,  as  defined  in  the  foregoing  paragraph,  are  still  very  closely  related  to  other 
classes  of  aniilbls  :  thus  they  resemble  the  Myriapodes  in  the  annular  or  jointed  structure, 
and  in  the  possession  of  two  anteunse,  but  diifer  from  them  by  the  division  of  their  bodies 
into  three  segments,  while  the  Myriapodes  are  composed  of  many  rings,  to  each  of  which 
there  is  provided  a  pair  of  legs,  as  in  the  family  of  animals  called  Centipedes.  They  re- 
semble the  spiders,  or  Arachnidse,  somewhat  in  the  division  of  the  body,  but  the  head  in 
spiders  is  soldered  to  the  thorax  :  they  are  also  destitute  of  antennse  ;  the  nervous  system 
is  condensed  into  fewer  central  ganglia,  and  sometimes  their  respiration  is  analogous  to 
the  pulmonary,  the  air  being  received  into  sacs  or  bags.  They  resemble  the  Crustacea  in  a 
few  points,  but  differ  essentially  from  them  in  the  character  of  the  respiratory  apparatus, 
inasmuch  as  the  Crustacea  are  provided  with  organs  analogous  to  the  gills  of  fishes.  The 
resemblance  which  insects  bear  to  the  worms,  Annelides,  is  the  annulated  structure  :  those 
worms  have  neither  antennae  nor  feet,  and,  as  to  sex,  they  are  mostly  hermaphrodites.  In 
addition  to  the  foregoing,  I  may  add,  none  of  the  classes  have  wings  but  insects,  and  their 
metamorphoses  are  of  a  different  character,  consisting  mainly  of  a  casting  of  the  integu- 
ments as  in  the  crab  an4  lobster. 

All  insects  are  oviparous,  or  spring  from  an  egg  laid  before  the  birth  of  the  individual. 
A  few  examples  are  known  where  the  egg  is  retained  in  the  b^dy,  and  there  hatched. 
These  eggs  are  often  carefully  concealed,  and  hence  are  discovered  with  difficulty  :  it  is 
owing  to  this  circumstance  that  they  multiply  to  an  injui-ious  extent,  and  are  often  capable 
of  devastating  extensive  territories.  They  are,  however,  generally  laid  upon  the  bodies 
which  are  to  provide  the  food  for  the  young  :  those  which  subsist  upon  herbaceous  plants, 
are  found  upon  or  near  the  foliage  ;  those  which  feed  upon  wood  are  deposited  in  holes, 
or  in  cracks  and  crevices  of  trees,  into  which  the  young  animal  immediately  begins  to 
penetrate  ;  or,  which  is  equally  bad,  the  egg  is  deposited  in  the  rudiments  of  the  fruit,  and 
will  be  ready  to  devoui-  it  when  it  is  mature. 

Insects  are  extremely  prolific,  but  the  difl'erent  species  vary  exceedingly.  According  to 
a  statement  in  the  Naturalist's  Library,  a  certain  large  fly  {Mese7nbri7ia  7ne)-idiana)  lays  only 
■  two  eggs  ;  while  the  female  white  ant  lays  probably  not  fewer  than  forty  or  fifty  millions 
in  a  year,  which  are  extruded  at  the  rate  of  sixty  in  a  minute  when  engaged  in  the  act*. 
This  statement  embraces  the  extremes.  Others  are  known  to  lay,  as  the  queen  bee  for 
example,  fifty  thousand  ;  female  wasp,  thirty  thousand,  though  generally  only  from  two  to 
three  thousand.  The  eggs  of  the  wheat  fly  are  not  very  numerous,  and  probably  less  than 
one  hundred  ;  yet  even  in  that  small  number  the  increase  will  be  sufficient  to  secure  the 
destruction  of  the  wheatfields  in  a  large  district.  But  many  insects  produce  several  broods 
in  a  season,  and  some  of  the  most  prolific  produce  several  generations  of  young,  consisting 
mainly  of  females,  which  are  capable  of  laying  eggs  as  soon  as  they  have  reached  a  stage 

•  Naturalist's  Library,  Introduction,  pp.  72,  73. 


GENERAL   CONSIDERATIONS.  3 

of  full  development.  But  the  law  of  increase  seems  to  rest  upon  the  supply  of  food  :  where 
this  is  sure  and  constant,  the  increase  is  much  greater  than  where  it  is  precarious  or  un- 
certain ;  thus  those  insects  which  subsist  on  animal  food  are  comparatively  limited,  while 
the  vegetable  feeders  are  more  numerous  :  this  is  in  keeping  with  the  harmony  of  nature, 
and  the  original  arrangements  of  the  Creator. 

The  eggs  of  insects  are  made  up,  essentially,  of  the  same  parts  as  the  egg  of  vertebrated 
animals.  It  consists  of  a  yolk,  with  its  germinal  disc  and  gel-minal  spot,  which  seem  really 
to  be  nothing  else  than  a  cell  with  its  nucleolus.  The  yolk  is  enveloped  in  a  proper  mem- 
brane ;  and  in  order  to  defend  and  protect  it,  it  is  supplied  with  a  hard  outside  envelope, 
analogous  to  the  eggshell  of  the  common  fowl ;  but  the  shell,  the  white,  and  its  tough 
membrane,  are  not  essential  parts  in  the  constitution  of  the  egg. 

The  eggs  of  insects,  like  all  other  eggs,  obey  the  law  of  temperature.  The  young  are 
hatched  at  an  earlier  day  if  the  temperature  is  increased,  and  the  hatching  is  retarded  in  a 
medium  of  low  temperature.  It  therefore  happens  that  man  is  often  a  gainer  in  consequence 
of  the  warmth  of  spring,  which  brings  forward  insect  life  at  an  early  day,  only  to  perish 
by  the  frosts  which  soon  succeed.  The  eggs  of  insects  are  endued  with  the  power  to  resist, 
or  rather  withstand,  wide  variations  of  temperatiu-e.  It  is  evident  that  they  sustain  all  the 
ordinary  changes  of  the  climate,  and  that  it  often  happens  that  they  are  exposed  to  a 
temperature  equal  to  20"  below  zero.  The  ability  to  withstand  either  extreme  of  tempera- 
tiu-e  depends  upon  the  conditions  of  the  egg  :  if  it  has  progressed  considerably  towards 
the  development  of  an  embryo,  its  power  to  withstand  those  extreme  changes  is  diminished. 
The  pupa  resists  but  feebly  those  changes  when  it  first  assumes  this  state  ;  but  when  it 
has  nearly  reached  the  period  of  completing  its  metamorphosis,  it  is  surprising  that  it  can 
resist  a  high  degree  of  heat.  I  exposed  the  pupa3  of  numerous  silkworms,  enclosed  in  a 
bottle,  to  212^,  without  injuring  them.  I  was  surprised  to  find,  not  many  days  afterwards, 
that  hundreds  of  millers  of  both  sexes  had  escaped  from  their  cocoons.  The  warmth  of  the 
sun,  together  with  its  light,  is  suiUcient  to  destroy  the  vitality  of  the  pupa  when  it  first 
assiunes  that  state  ;  but  the  eggs  of  insects  require  air,  or  oxygen,  as  much  as  the  perfect 
animal  :  when  enclosed  in  a  vacuum,  they  lose  their  vitality.  Oxygen  is  essential  to  the 
development  of  the  embryo,  and  hence  the  outer  covering  must  admit  its  passage. 

The  eggs  of  some  insects  seem  to  grow  :  they  increase  in  size,  probal>ly  by  the  absorption 
of  moisture  from  the  atmosphere,  or  from  the  surface  upon  which  they  are  laid. 

The  covering  of  eggs  varies  exceedingly  :  in  some  it  is  beautifully  sculptured  ;  in  others 
it  is  smooth  and  shining.  These  diiferent  characters,  if  they  could  be  fully  delineated, 
would  constitute  important  marks  for  the  discrimination  of  species,  for  it  is  probable  that 
they  differ  in  the  species  to  which  they  belong. 

The  most  remarkable  fact  in  the  history  of  insects,  is  their  metamorphosis.  The  egg,  as 
has  been  observed  already,  is  similar  to  the  eggs  produced  by  oilier  classes  of  animals  ;  but 
it  never  gives  birth  to  a  perfect  insect,  the  immediate  product  of  the  egg  being  really  as 


4  GENERAL    CONSIDERATIONS, 

unlike  the  perfect  insect  as  possible  ;  for  what  can  be  more  unlike  than  the  caterpillar  and 
butterfly  1  How  disgusting  the  one,  as  it  crawls  like  a  reptile ;  and  how  beautiful  the 
other,  as  it  flits  in  the  air  like  a  bird  ! 

From  the  egg,  the  first  state  in  which  the  insect  appears  is  the  larva.  This  stage  of 
existence  is  characterized  by  the  vermiform  shape  and  construction  of  their  bodies  ;  and 
it  is  a  stage  which  attracts  our  attention  more  frequently  than  that  of  the  perfect  insect, 
and  it  is  one  in  which  it  usually  commits  a  greater  amount  of  injury  than  in  the  perfect 
stage  :  it  is,  too,  in  this  stage  that  the  agriculturist  can  more  effectually  exterminate  these 
his  foes.  The  term  larva  is  applied  generally  to  the  immature  butterfly  or  caterpillar.  Grubs 
are  white,  soft-bodied  animals,  which  are  immatiu-e  beetles^  while  maggots  are  immature 
flies,  or  belong  to  the  dipterous  order  of  insects.  All,  however,  are  the  analogous  re- 
presentatives of  the  different  orders  in  the  same  stage  of  development,  or  that  stage  during 
which  the  insect  grows  and  frequently  casts  its  integuments  :  it  devoiu-s  immense  quanti- 
ties of  food,  and  is  often  very  destructive  to  the  foliage  of  vegetables.  When  it  has  reached 
its  development  for  the  larva  stage,  it  ceases  to  eat,  wraps  itself  in  a  mantle,  simulates 
death,  but  is  really  luidergoing  internal  changes  preparatory  to  a  higher  stage  of  develop- 
ment. In  its  mantle  it  casts  its  old  skin,  which  it  presses  down  into  the  lower  part  of  its 
envelope,  and  soon  appears  in  a  livery  peculiar  to  the  pupa  stage.  The  time  during  which 
it  is  confined  to  this  stage  varies  with  every  insect  :  in  some  it  is  brief ;  in  others,  it  is  long. 

Insects  are  composed  of  thirteen  segments,  including  the  head  ;  but  an  obscurity  often 
arises .  from  the  consolidation  of  segments,  and  often  produces  thereby  a  disproportionate 
development  of  certain  parts.  The  three  segments  immediately  behind  the  head  correspond 
to  the  prothorax,  mesothorax,  and  metathorax  of  the  insect ;  and  these  bear  the  three  pair  of 
legs,  provided  the  larva  possesses  legs.  These  are  persistent,  and  hence  are  called  true  legs, 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  abdominal  legs,  prolegs  or  props,  which  are  caducous,  or  are 
never  transmitted  to  the  perfect  insect  :  they  are  peculiar  to  the  larva.  The  mouth-pieces 
or  oral  organs  frequently  differ  in  the  diffierent  stages  also.  These  are  sometimes  designed 
for  suction  in  the  larva,  while  the  perfect  insect  is  provided  with  jaws  for  mastication  ; 
hence,  in  such  cases,  the  natirre  of  the  food  is  changed  :  in  other  cases  the  provisions  for 
taking  food  are  the  same  in  both  stages. 

The  larvae  grow  rapidly,  as  a  general  fact,  insomuch  that  the  whole  structure  of  the 
animal  indicates  provisions  subservient  to  this  result  :  they  are  provided  with  strong  and 
efficient  organs  of  manducation  ;  their  digestive  organs  are  very  large  and  capacious  ;  the 
function  of  digestion  is  rapidly  effected,  and  the  consiunption  of  food  is  immense  in  pro- 
portion to  the  weight  of  the  body.  It  is  stated  that  flesh-flies  increase  two  hundred  times 
their  weight  in  twenty-four  hours.  Count  Dandolo  remarks  that  the  weight  of  the  silk- 
worm, when  first  hatched,  is  about  one-hundredth  of  a  grain,  or  it  requires  one  hundred 
of  them  to  weigh  a  grain  :  after  the  first  moulting,  one  hundred  weigh  15  grains ;  after 
the  second,  the  same  number  weigh  94  grains  ;  after  the  third,  their  weight  is  400  grains  ; 


GENERAL   CONSIDERATIONS.  5 

after  the  fourth,  their  conjoint  weight  is  1628  grains  ;  and  after  the  fifth,  when  they  have 
attained  a  length  of  three  inches,  they  weigh  9500  grains.  These  changes  of  skin,  called 
moulHngs,  seem  designed  to  accommodate  the  development  of  the  body  to  its  outer  enve- 
lope :  it  is  a  critical  period  ;  and  if  any  accident  happens  which  interferes  with  its  proper 
performance,  the  animal  either  perishes,  or  is  left  in  an  enfeebled  state,  and  is  unable  to 
assume  the  form  of  the  perfect  insect.  The  number  of  moultings  varies  with  the  species, 
but  is  always  alike  in  the  same  species  :  the  same  changes  are  repeated  in  each  respective- 
ly. All  these  changes  are  best  observed  in  the  silkworm,  in  which  their  number  is  five,  and 
require  thirty  days  for  their  complete  performance.  In  some  insects  the  number  of  moult- 
ings extends  to  nine  or  ten,  while  in  others  it  does  not  exceed  three  or  foui-.  The  larva 
ceases  to  eat  when  it  is  undergoing  this  process  :  an  internal  change  takes  place,  however, 
whidi  greatly  favors  the  casting  of  its  envelope  ;  it  is  the  absorption  of  the  fat  beneath  the 
outer  skin,  which  becomes  shrivelled,  while  at  the  same  time  it  gives  opportunity  for  the 
expansion  of  the  internal  parts.  The  motions  are  strange  during  this  period  :  their  bodies 
are  curiously  shaken  and  contorted,  with  jerkings  of  the  head  and  posterior  parts  of  the 
abdomen ;  these  are  designed  to  break  up  the  attachments  of  the  outer  skin,  and  finally 
to  detach  it  from  the  new  skin  beneath,  which  is  bright,  fresh,  and  moist.  A  rent  is  finally 
made  in  the  old  skin  along  the  back,  through  which  the  animal  now  forces  its  way,  in 
which  process  it  is  assisted  by  attaching  itself  to  some  point  of  support  :  this  is  managed 
so  adroitly  that  the  6ld  skin  remains  whole,  except  the  rent  along  the  back,  and  so  perfect 
that  it  might  be  mistaken  for  the  perfect  larva.  The  change  is  not  confined  to  the  outer 
envelope  :  the  organs  of  respiration,  though  extremely  delicate,  as  well  as  those  of  diges- 
tion, cast  off  also  their  membranes,  which  are  ultimately  expelled  from  the  body.  It  is  no 
wonder,  then,  that  the  moul|;ing  stage  is  one  of  great  danger  to  the  larva.  This  becomes 
still  more  hazardous  to  the  silkworm  which  is  placed  in  an  artificial  state,  and  which  is 
increased  by  the  numbers  that  are  crowded  into  a  small  area.  The  last  change  is  attended 
with  circumstances  somewhat  peculiar.  They  first  seek  a  suitable  retreat,  adapted  to  the 
natui-e  of  the  insect  itself ;  a  crevice  in  the  bark  of  trees,  a  shelter  under  the  roof  of  a 
building,  or  a  hole  in  the  ground,  in  which  they  construct  a  sort  of  chamber,  which  they 
line  and  otherwise  prepare  in  a  mode  suitable  to  their  necessities.  They  form  habitations 
with  much  skill,  and  the  bestowment  of  much  care,  to  defend  their  bodies  from  the  ex- 
tremes of  temperature,  or  as  a  defence  from  their  enemies.  Sometimes,  as  in  the  dipterous 
insects,  the  old  skin  is  converted  into  a  pupa  case,  after  becoming  more  rigid  and  stilF :  in 
other  instances  a  beautiful  case  is  made,  and  a  robe  of  silk  is  laboriously  woven  from  a 
single  thread,  which  is  formed  and  spun  from  the  juices  of  the  body. 

The  silkworm  is  an  admirable  example  to  illustrate  the  instinctive  powers  of  insects  in 
perfecting  their  stages  of  development.  We  admire  the  skill  by  which  it  suspends  itself  in 
its  case,  and  the  beautiful  manoeuvres  by  which  it  manages  to  place  the  band  of  silk  around 


6  GENERAL    CONSIDERATIONS. 

its  body.  The  habitation  of  the  pupa  is  usually  called  its  cocoon  ;  which  term,  however,  is 
more  commonly  applied  to  those  silken  cases  or  envelopes  of  which  I  have  been  speaking, 
and  of  which  we  have  an  example  in  the  silkworm.  This  is  so  closely  woven  that  it  ex- 
cludes water,  and  is  often  stiffened  by  a  glutinous  matter,  by  which  it  preserves  its  original 
form  even  after  the  perfect  animal  has  escaped  :  it  is  also  farther  strengthened  by  leaves 
and  pieces  of  wood,  which  undoubtedly  serve  as  a  better  protection  from'  its  enemies. 
Thus  this  helpless  state  is  guarded  and  protected  by  a  system  of  means  which  are  calculated 
to  secure  the  existence  of  the  animal  in  its  utterly  helpless  state ;  a  state  which  simulates 
death,  and  which,  in  its  ultimate  triumph,  resembles  the  resiu-rection  of  the  body  from  the 
grave  of  real  death. 

All  insects  do  not  imdergo  the  same  changes  ;  neither  are  they  alike  in  analogous  states. 
Thus  the  caterpillar  of  our  butterilies  wraps  itself  in  its  mantle,  where  it  silently  under- 
goes its  change  ;  but  the  grasshopper  comes  from  the  egg  an  immature  insect,  but  with  the 
general  form  of  the  perfect  animal,  and  hops  about  with  the  rudiments  of  wings  upon  its 
back.  As  it  grows  rapidly,  it  outgrows  its  skin,  which  it  frequently  casts,  like  the  larva  of 
the  butterfly  :  its  wings  continue  to  grow,  and  the  body  to  increase ;  the  partial  wings 
keep  pace  with  these  changes,  till  at  last  they  are  perfected,  and  the  animal  has  reached 
its  perfect  state  Avithout  having  lost  its  activity  during  its  period  of  growth.  The  grass- 
hopper, then,  never  passes  into  the  inactive  pupa  state  ;  and  in  this  its  metamorphosis  is 
similar  to  bugs,  and  dissimilar  to  beetles  and  caterpillars. 

There  is  another  difference  in  the  history  of  insect  life,  which  is  interesting  :  it  is  not 
the  inhabitant  of  the  same  medium  through  life.  It  may  begin  its  career  in  the  water,  and 
end  it  in  the  air  :  the  musquito  is  an  example.  Who  has  not  observed  the  wiggler  in 
stagnant  water,  and  in  our  cisterns  1  It  is  the  musquito  enjoying  its  water-life  to  the  full. 
When  the  time  arrives  for  its  change,  it  rises  to  the  surface,  bui-sts  its  mantle,  thrusts  up 
its  head  and  spreads  its  wings,  while  with  its  feet  it  rests  still  upon  its  cast-oif  mantle,  then 
rises  buoyant  from  its  sinking  bark,  and  flies  away  in  triumph  from  the  element  whicli 
gave  it  birth. 

Equally  remarkable  are  the  appetites  of  the  insect  in  its  larva  and  in  its  perfect  state. 
Thus  the  larva,  or,  as  it  is  usually  called,  the  maggot,  sports  and  feeds  upon  the  putrid 
mass  ;  but  the  fly,  which  springs  from  its  mantle,  seeks  the  honey  of  our  table  :  so  various 
are  the  forms  and  manners  of  insect  life.  The  caterpillar,  grub  and  maggot  go  through  the 
three  stages,  or  undergo  a  complete  metamorjjhosis ;  passing  through  the  three  periods 
which  are  known  as  the  caterpillar,  pupa,  and  imago  or  perfect  stage.  The  last  is  the  only 
period  which  is  given  them  to  continue  their  kind  and  generations  :  in  many  it  is  transient 
as  the  fleeting  day,  and  seems  designed  only  for  fulfilling  the  law  of  increase  ;  which,  when 
fulfilled,  the  insect  dies. 


CHAPTER    II. 

SKETCH  OF  THE  ANATOMY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY  OF  INSECTS. 

The  parts  of  the  insect  which  are  employed  in  description  are  the  antennae,  the  segments, 
the  wings  and  nervures,  the  eyes,  the  parts  forming  the  mouth,  etc. ;  and  these  it  will  be 
necessary  to  describe  somewhat  at  length.  The  tlu-ee  divisions  of  the  body  are  marked  by 
deep  incisions,  by  which  the  head,  thorax  and  abdomen,  or  hind-body  as  it  is  sometimes 
called,  are  always  distinct  in  the  perfect  insect ;  but  in  the  larva  there  are  only  two  divi- 
sions, the  head  and  body.  The  middle,  or  thorax,  supports  the  head  and  wings.  The  head  is 
armed  with  jaws  or  mandibles  and  palpi,  and  ornamented  or  sm'mounted  by  the  anteunse, 
which,  in  some  insects,  are  muc'li  larger  than  their  bodies,  and  are  made  up  of  many  joints 
gradually  tapering  to  a  point. 

The  wings  of  beetles  are  composed  of  dissimilar  pieces,  lying,  when  at  rest,  one  above 
the  other.  The  upper  or  outer  wing  is  thick,  and  shaped  to  the  parietes  of  the  abdomen, 
being  convex  above  and  concave  below  :  it  protects  the  true  wing,  which  is  delicate  and 
studiously  folded,  and  'is  only  elevated  in  flight,  in  order  to  give  play  to  the  true  wings. 
The  upper  wings  ai-e  called  elytra,  to  distinguish  them  from  the  reticulated  wing ;  they 
are  also  denominated  wing-covers  or  cases,  and  are  often  finely  sculptured,  punctured  or 
ornamented  :  to  these  the  insect  frequently  owes  its  beauty ;  upon  these,  too,  the  fine 
colors  are  impressed,  which  are  often  of  a  splendent  hue  or  lustre.  In  other  orders  of  in- 
sects the  four  wings  are  entu-ely  reticulated,  or  composed  of  a  fine  network  ti-aversed 
longitudinally  and  obliquely  by  nerviues  which  branch  in  the  same  species  in  a  certain 
manner,  which,  from  their  constancy,  have  been  employed  by  systematists  to  aid  in  clas- 
sifying, and  as  characteristics  of  genera.  The  wings  are  still  farther  modified  in  the  Le- 
pidoptera ;  the  network  is  more  compact  and  close,  and  is  covered  with  fine  scales  but 
slightly  attached,  which  appear  to  the  unassisted  eye  like  meal  of  a  pearly  hue.  Butterflies 
and  moths  are  provided  with  this  peculiar  wing,  which,  though  extremely  delicate  and 
always  injured  when  slightly  touched  wfth  the  finger,  yet  always  appears  perfect  when 
first  captured  ;  showing  thereby  their  jwwer  and  ability  to  perform  the  natural  functions 
for  which  they  were  designed,  without  sustaining  the  loss  of  this  delicate  substance. 


6  *  DESCRIPTION    OF    PARTS. 

The  external  covering  of  insects  is  quite  hard  :  it  is  called  integument,  or  crust,  and 
supplies  the  place  of  the  internal  skeleton,  and  is  the  part  to  which  the  muscles  are  at- 
tached. It  is  somewhat  horny,  or  corneous,  but  varies  considerably  in  this  respect  in  the 
different  species  :  in  certain  beetles  it  is  hard  and  inflexible ;  while  in  others,  it  is  soft  and 
quite  flexible.  It  resembles  the  true  skin  of  animals  in  its  divisibility  into  three  layers,  an 
epidermis,  a  rete  mucosum,  and  a  leathery  tunic  called  the  corium  or  dermis,  the  true  skin. 
This  outer  integument  is  composed  chemically  of  phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia ;  but, 
what  is  interesting,  it  is  found  to  contain  a  peculiar  substance,  termed  chitine,  which  is 
insoluble  in  potash.  Phosphate  of  iron,  albumen,  and  a  peculiar  coloring  matter,  are  also 
among  the  substances  composing  this  integument. 

The  shape  of  the  head  is  variable,  but  the  spherical  form  predominates.  The  integument 
forms  a  kind  of  box,  with  an  aperture  in  front,  through  which  the  organs  of  the  mouth 
may  be  thrust.  The  posterior  part  furnishes  a  place  and  attachments  for  the  muscles  which 
move  the  head  upon  the  thorax.  The  eyes  are  large,  usually,  and  occupy  the  lateral  parts 
of  the  head.  The  external  parts  of  the  head  have  received  different  names.  The  epicranium 
is  that  portion  which  extends  from  the  eyes  backwards.  In  front  of  the  epicranium,  is  the 
forehead.  The  clypeus  is  the  margin  in  front  above  the  mouth.  Sometimes  the  whole  region 
in  front  of  the  eyes  is  called  the  face.  The  inferior  parts  of  the  box  enclosing  the  head  has 
also  its  spaces,  which  have  received  distinct  names,  as  gula,  or  throat,  which  lies  imme- 
diately behind  the  margin  of  the  lower  lip,  and  extends  back  to  the  prothorax.  The  cheeks 
are  situated  upon  the  sides  of  the  head,  from  the  eyes  downwards  to  the  mouth.  The  an- 
tennae are  situated  between  the  angle  of  the  mouth  and  the  eyes  :  they  have  a  subglobose 
joint  at  the  base,  upon  which  they  move,  and  which  is  placed  in  a  kind  of  socket ;  this  is 
sometimes  called  a  torulus. 

The  mouth,  as  may  be  supposed,  is  constructed  so  as  to  answer  the  ends  designed,  and 
it  is  either  suctorial  or  manducatory,  masticating  :  if  the  food  is  fluid,  it  is  suctorial ;  if 
solid,  it  has  jaws  for  mastication.  In  the  mandibulate  or  masticating,  there  is  perfect  free- 
dom of  motion ;  in  the  suctorial  or  haustellate  {haustdlata),  the  parts  are  more  or  less 
soldered  together ,^  so  as  to  form  a  tube  for  the  transmission  of  fluids.  The  terms  haustellata 
and  mandibulata  apply,  therefore,  to  two  great  classes  of  insects,  one  of  which  subsists  on 
the  juices  of  plants  and  animals,  which  they  obtain  by  suction ;  the  others,  the  masticating, 
subsist  on  solid  substances.  Animals  destined  to  obtain  food  by  modes  so  apparently  distinct, 
furnish  many  distinctive  characters  of  importance.  The  lubrum  is  the  most  anterior  part 
seen  from  above  ;  it  covers  the  mouth,  and  is  united  by  a  membranous  hinge  to  the  cly- 
peus :  it  is  employed  in  retaining  the  food  in  the  mouth  during  mastication  ;  it  is,  there- 
fore, a  true  upper  lip,  but  of  a  variable  form.  Mastication  is  performed  by  the  mandibles, 
which  are  two  strong  jaws  that  move  laterally,  and  consist  of  wedge-shaped  or  triangular 
pieces  more  or  less  elongated,  and  placed  immediately  below  the  labrum.  These  organs  are 
also  called  upper  jaws  :  they  move  like  the  blades  of  scissors.  Their  inner  edge  is  fre- 


DESCRIPTION   OF    PARTS.  9 

quently  dentate  or  toothed,  the  teeth  being  arranged  so  as  to  shut  within  each  other.  Below 
the  upper  jaw  are  the  feeler  jaws,  or  maxillte  ;  these  also  move  horizontally  :  they  are 
smaller,  and,  instead  of  notches,  their  inner  edges  are  fiu-nished  with  bristles  or  hairs  ;  they 
are  articulated  to  flie  thr<jat  b}  a  hinge  (cardo),  which  places  them  at  right  angles  to  the 
stipe  or  stalk,  which  last  is  pretty  thick  and  strong  at  its  upper  part.  Attached  to  this  is 
the  feeler-bearer,  so  called  because  the  maxillary  palpus  is  inserted  on  its  outer  edge.  The 
terminal  portion  of  the  maxilla  is  the  maxillary  lobe,  which  is  frequently  toothed  at  its 
extremity.  The  maxillary  palpus  is  a  filiform,  jointed  process,  which  always  distinguishes 
the  maxilla?  from  the  mandibles.  The  proportion  of  joints  is  variable,  nnd  in  number  they 
never  exceed  six.  The  terminal  joint  is  quite  variable  in  form  in  the  different  genera,  and 
hence  becomes  an  important  characteristic.  The  under  lip  is  called  a  laliiem;  it  antagonizes 
the  labrum  :  at  its  base  is  the  mentum  or  chin.  The  anterior  part  bears  the  labial  palpi  : 
the  terminal  portion  is  the  ligula^'anA  is  often  lobed.  The  labial  palpi  are  jointed,  but  the 
joints  never  exceed  four.  The  tongue,  in  the  Carabidse,  is  a  lining  membrane  of  the  under 
lip,  which  protrudes  along  its  anterior  angles,  or  in  front  :  it  is  obscure  among  the  Coleo- 
ptera,but  more  distinct  among  the  Orthoptera.  The  mouth  designed  for  suction  is  not  very 
dissimilar  to  the  one  formed  for  mastication.  The  mandibles  have  undergone  mcdifications 
which  are  referred  to  three  tj-pes,  that  have  received  the  following  appellations  :  j:rcmuscis, 
proboscis,  and  haustdlum.  The  tube  is  formed  by  the  elongation  of  the  maxilla  and  accessory 
parts  :  so  also  it  is  formed  by  the  mandibles. 

The  thorax  is  the  section  of  the  insect  which  lies  between  the  head  and  abdomen  :  it 
supports  the  legs.  Three  principal  pieces  enter  into  its  composition  :  the  anterior  supports" 
the  fore-legs,  and  is  called  the  prothorax;  the  next,  the  mesothorax,  which  supports  the 
middle  legs  and  fore-wings ;  the  last,  the  me^d^Aorax,  which  supports  the  hind-legs  and 
hind-wings.  The  inferior  part  of  the  thorax  is  covered  by  a  plate,  called  the  prostemum  by 
BuRMEisTER.  The  scutellum  is  a  triangular  piece  of  integument  interposed  between  the 
elytra  at  their  base  :  sometimes  it  is  concealed  by  the  elytra.  Connected  with  the  scutellum 
is  ihtfrenum,  a  membrane  designed  to  regulate  the  quantity  of  movement  belonging  to  the 
elytra  :  in  the  Fulgura  it  consists  of  cartilaginous  elastic  rings,  which  admit  of  tension  and 
relaxation.  The  mesothorax  has  another  important  division,  called  t\iesc(ipul(e  :  they  assist 
in  forming  the  articulating  socket  of  the  elytra  ;  they  pass  down  the  sides  of  the  second 
thoracic  segment.  The  mesothorax  has  also  its  spiracle  :  on  the  under  side  of  this  segment 
is  placed  the  mesosfemum ;  it  contains  the  sockets  of  the  middle  legs.  The  metathorax  is 
the  posterior  segment  of  the  thorax,  which  supports  the  hind-legs  and  the  inferior  wings  : 
it  is  well  developed  in  the  Coleoptera  and  Orthoptera.  The  best  authorities  regard  it^as 
admitting  of  a  division  into  seven  pieces  :  the  dorsal  portion  is  the  mefanofv7n  ;  it  is 
quadrangular,  and  notched  in  front.  The  metathorax  is  separated  from  the  abdomen  by  a 
parietal  wall  called  the  metaphragma,  and  from  the  mesothorax  by  the  mescphragma.  The 
lateral  portions  of  the  metathorax  are  provided  with  horny  plates,  termed  by  Kieby  and. 
[Agbicpltural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  2 


10  DESCRIPTION    OF    PARTS. 

Spence  pleura  and  peiipleura;  tlie  latter  supports  the  halleres  or  poisers  in  dipterous  in- 
sects. The  thorax  invariably  supports  six  legs.  The  wings  are  sometimes  wanting,  when 
the  insect  is  said  to  be  apterous  :  those  with  two  wings  are  dijiferovs;  and  those  with  four, 
tetrapterous.  The  superior  wings  are  provided  with  an  articulating  socket,  which  is  formed 
in  part  by  the  organ  called  the  scapula  ;  they  lie  close  upon  the  sternum ;  they  constitute 
the  second  principal  portion  of  the  mesothorax,  lying  one  on  each  side  in  front.  Another 
distinct  portion  of  the  mesothorax  is  the  mesostemum  :  it  lies  upon  the  under  side,  opposite 
the  mesonotum ;  in  its  area  the  middle  legs  are  articulated.  The  mesosternum  is  not  equal- 
ly developed  in  all  orders  of  insects  :  it  is  most  perfect  in  the  Coleoptera  and  Orthoptera ; 
the  dorsal  portion  has  received  the  name  o!  mefanofitm,  quadrangular  in  form,  and  emargi- 
nate  in  front. 

The  parts  supported  by  the  thorax  are  the  wings  and  legs  ;  and,  as  has  been  observed 
already,  the  latter  are  invariably  six  in  number,  and  never  wanting.  The  wings  are  variable 
in  number,  in  form  and  in  substance  ;  and  upon  the  variability  in  form  and  substance,  the 
orders  are  composed.  Thus  those  with  four  wings  are  termed  tetrapterous ;  those  with  two, 
dipterous ;  and  those  with  none,  apterous.  Tlie  anterior  pair  in  Tetraptera  is  attached  to  the 
mesothorax  :  this  pair  is  also  sometimes  called  the  superior  pair,  wliile  the  pair  attached 
to  the  metathorax  is  called  the  posterior  or  inferior  pair.  The  pair  which  is  wanting  in  the 
Diptera,  is  the  posterior  pair. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  wings  differ  in  form  and  substance.  Nature,  however,  preserves 
rigorously  the  symmetry  of  parts.  In  Coleoptera,  the  anterior  wings  differ  from  the  posterior 
both  in  substance  and  form.  The  substance  of  the  first  is  leathery,  more  or  less  rigid,  and 
horny  :  their  form  is  various,  but  adapted  to  the  dorsum  or  back  of  the  insect ;  while  the 
posterior  are  membranous,  flexible  and  elastic,  and  capable  of  being  folded  beneath  the 
anterior  wings.  In  another  order  of  Tetraptera  the  wings  are  similar  in  form  and  substance, 
and  of  equal  size  :  these  insects  have  received  the  name  of  JYeuroptcra.  Where,  however, 
in  tetrapterous  insects,  the  posterior  wings  differ  in  size,  but  jn-eserve  the  form  and  sub- 
stance of  the  anterior,  the  order  is  called 'iS/mmop^oa.  Examples  of  Neuroptera  are  the 
dragon-fiies  ;  of  Hymeuoptera,  the  common  honey-bee,  wasp,  etc.  In  flight,  the  rigid  an- 
terior wing  of  the  Coleoptera  is  of  little  use  :  it  serves  to  protect  the  memln-anous  wing 
and  abdomen  when  at  rest.  Hence  it  is  that  the  flight  of  beetles  is  short,  and  sustained 
evidently  with  much  more  labor  than  that  of  di-agon-flies  or  honey-bees.  The  insects  whose 
wings  are  four,  and  covered  with  scales,  are  called  from  this  last  circumstance  Lepidoptera. 

It  is  proper  here  to  remark,  that  while  there  is  a  great  dissimilarity  between  the  anterior 
wing  of  a  beetle  and  that  of  a  dragon-fly,  yet  we  are  not  to  suppose  that  the  difference  is 
effected  by  a  sudden  leap  :  there  is  really  a  gradation  in  substance.  We  have  insects  whose 
anterior  wings  are  intermediate  in  tliis  respect,  both  in  substance  and  form.  Thus  the  com- 
mon grasshopper  has  an  anterior  wing  which  is  between  leathery  and  membranous,  and  is 


DESCRIPTION    OF    PARTS.  11 

elongated  very  frecjuently  beyoud  the  body.  This  is  the  characteristic  of  the  order  Ort/io- 
ptera  of  systematic  writers  ;  and  in  this  order,  the  wing  grows  with  the  body  of  the  insect. 
There  is  another  modificatiou  of  the  anterior  wing,  which  seems  to  arise  from  an  arrest  of 
development,  as  the  organ  acquires  scarcely  lialf  its  usual  length  :  this  modification  has 
served  to  establish  tlie  order  Hemvptera  of  authors. 

A  still  more  beautiful  modification  of  the  wing  of  the  insect  is  found  in  l>utterflies  and 
.moths.  In  these  the  membrane  and  network,  constituting  the  frame  and  ftnindation-work 
of  the  organ,  are  covered  with  a  mealy  substance,  or  what  appears  to  the  unassisted  eye  as 
such.  This  substance,  however,  is  a  scale  of  a  lieautiful  workmanship,  of  a  variable  form 
and  size  in  different  insects,  and  in  different  parts  of  the  wing  of  the  same  insect  :  they 
are  beautiful  objects  for  the  microscope.  Rude  handling  immediately  destroys  the  beauty 
of  the  wing,  by  detaching  these  scales,  and  leaving  the  membrane  beneath  naked  and 
broken. 

The  wing,  anatomically  considered,  is  composed  of  two  parts  :  the  7>ervurcs,  and  mem- 
brane. The  former  are  likened  unto  ribs,  which  start  from  tlie  anterior  angle,  and  branch 
in  various  ways  as  they  pass  to  the  posterior  margin.  They  give  strength  to  the  organ,  and 
serve  an  important  purpose  in  supporting  and  staying  the  outstretched  membrane.  The 
nervures  are  not,  as  might  at  first  be  supposed,  solid  ribs  :  they  are  traversed  internally  by 
a  spii-al  vessel  and  nerve.  The  membrane  is  double,  although  extremely  delicate  :  this 
delicacy,  however,  is  no  obstacle  to  the  growth  of  appendages,  such  as  hairs,  etc.,  inasmuch 
as  it  is  frequently  densely  covered  with  them.  The  wing,  divided  by  the  branching  and 
anastomosing  of  the  nervures,  forms  a  network  more  or  less  fine.  The  spaces  enclosed  by 
the  branches  are  called  cells  or  areolefs ;  and  being  quite  constant  in  form  and  place,  they 
are  employed  in  the  determination  of  groups.  Tliree  areas  are  particularly  noticed,  namely, 
the  costal,  intermediate,  and  anal  areas.  The  wing  has  a  base,  and  anterior  and  posterior 
margins  :  the  first  is  the  part  attached  to  the  sternum  ;  the  two  others  define  themselves. 
The  apex  of  the  wing  is  the  part  opposite  to  the  base. 

Various  views  have  been  expressed  by  different  authors  on  the  analogical  relations  of  the 
wings  J  many  of  which  are  certainly  very  fanciful.  M.  Atjdouin  takes  a  rational  common 
sense  view  of  these  relations,  and  regards  the  wings  as  organs  sui  generis,  intended  for  the 
exercise  of  special  functions. 

The  legs.  Each  segment  of  the  thorax  supports  a  pair  of  legs.  The  joint  wliich  unites 
them  with  the  body  is  called  the  coxa  or  hip  :  it  is  held  in  its  socket  by  a  ligament.  The 
motions  of  the  leg  are  controlled  more  or  less  by  the  form  of  the  coxa.  The  thigh  is  the 
largest  portion  of  the  leg  :  its  form  is  various ;  it  is  cylindrical  or  flattened,  it  is  straight 
or  arched.  If  the  insect  leaps,  the  posterior  thighs  are  thick  and  strong.  The  legs  are  also 
more  or  less  spinous. 

The  tibia  is  the  next  part  of  the  leg,  and  f  )rms  an  angle  with  the  thigh.  It  is  more 


12  DESCRIPTION    OF    PARTS. 

slender  than  the  thigh,  and  is  connected  with  it  by  a  joint  similar  to  a  knee-joint,  called 
giaglimus  (articulation) :  it  is  so  formed  that  it  may  be  closely  applied  to  the  thigh.  Spines 
and  spurs  are  also  found  upon  the  tibia  or  shank  :  when  the  spines  are  short,  they  are 
regarded  as  teeth.  The  spurs  are  articulated  with  the  part,  and  possess  some  motion  :  they 
are  commonly  arranged  in  pairs  at  the  extremity  of  each  tibia. 

The  tibia  terminates  below  in  the  tarsus,  or  foot  :  this  consists  of  a  series  of  pieces,  more 
or  less  heart-shaped,  and  never  exceeding  five  in  number.  The  combined  motion  of  these 
pieces  is  considerable,  though  it  is  such  as  belongs  to  the  ginglimus  articulation  :  they  are 
never  of  equal  length,  and  the  first  one  is  the  longest  of  all.  The  terminal  piece  bears  a 
bifid  claw,  often  dentate  or  serrate  on  the  edges  ;  and  a  spurious  claw  is  frequently  found 
between  the  branches.  In  addition  to  the  forenamed  parts,  we  often  find  cushions  placed 
upon  the  bottom  of  the  foot,  which  serv«  as  sucking  cups,  enabling  the  insect  to  support 
Itself  in  a  pendant  position.  Hairs  also  clothe  the  sole. 

The  forelegs  often  exhibit  a  form  more  or  less  divergent  from  the  others,  and  hence  serve 
an  additional  purpose  in  the  economy  of  the  insect  :  they  are  employed  in  prehension. 
So  it  is  sometimes  the  case  that  the  hindlegs  have  a  form  specially  adapted  to  a  particular 
purpose,  such  as  the  rolling  of  the  ball  in  which  the  eggs  are  enclosed,  etc. 

The  third  part  of  the  body  of  an  insect,  which  calls  for  our  attention,  is  the  abdomen  : 
it  has  no  appendage,  and  in  this  respect  differs  from  the  parts  already  noticed.  Its  external 
structure  is  not  peculiar ;  for,  like  the  other  parts,  it  is  composed  of  a  series  of  horny  rings 
or  segments,  which  are  closely  connected  together.  The  rings  do  not  exceed  nine  in  num- 
ber :  if  they  appear  to  be  fewer  than  nine,  it  may  arise  from  the  overlapping  of  adjacent 
ones.  A  section  of  the  abdomen  exhibits  a  triangular  outline.  The  abdomen  itself  is  united 
to  the  thorax,  but  not  always  in  the  same  way  :  the  area  of  junction  is  sometimes,  broad, 
or  equal  to  that  of  the  first  segment ;  in  other  cases  the  union  is  by  a  short  stem,  or  petiole, 
consisting  of  a  trumpet-shaped  tube  :  the  abdomen  is  sessile  in  the  former  case,  and  pe- 
tiolated  in  the  latter.  Tlie  rings  or  segments  are  united  to  each  other  in  two  ways  :  by  the 
first,  the  inferior  and  middle  parts  are  joined  or  soldered  together,  leaving  the  sides  and 
dorsal  portions  only  free  ;  by  the  second  way,  there  is  no  soldering  of  parts,  but  the  rings 
are  supported  by  overlapping  each  other,  and  may  slide  into  each  other  like  the  pieces  of 
a  telescope.  In  the  former  mode,  motion  is  restricted,  while  the  greatest  freedom  exists  in 
the  latter.  The  segments  are  lined  by  a  memlirane,  but  it  is  scarcely  visible  except  in  the 
case  of  a  gravid  female,  when  it  is  seen  distended  like  a  bag. 

The  abdomen,  being  comparatively  free,  is  well  fitted  to  sustain  the  function  of  respira- 
tion. To  this  end,  each  segment  or  ring  is  furnished  with  an  opening  fir  the  transmission 
of  air,  which  penetrates  thence  in  appropriate  vessels  throughout  the  whole  body.  These 
openings  are  surrounded  by  rings,  and  are  usually  denominated  spiracles.  As  the  abdomen 
is  devoted  to  digestion,  and  is  also  the  cavity  in  which  the  generative  organs  are  lodged,  it 


DESCRIPTION    OF   PARTS.  J3 

is  necessary  that  it  should  be  well  supplied  with  air  or  oxygen  :  hence  each  segment  has 
a  pair  of  spiracles,  which  are  capable  of  inhaling  a  large  amount  of  this  essential  element. 
The  external  orifices  are  often  protected  by  hairs,  which  shut  over  them,  and  thus  serve  to 
exclude  foreign  matters,  while  the  air  permeates  freely  into  the  interior  of  the  body. 

Besides  the  digestive  organs,  and  a  portion  of  the  respiratory  apparatus,  the  abdomen 
contains  the  genital  organs,  the  piercer  and  sting  of  females.  The  piercer  is  a  flexible  jointed 
tube,  and  is  used  to  puncture  trees  or  other  bodies  for  the  pm-pose  of  depositing  the  eggs. 
It  varies  in  length  and  form,  and  is  fitted  to  perform  its  oflice  according  to  the  instinct  of 
the  animal  to  which  it  belongs. 

I  have  now  described,  in  as  few  words  as  possible,  the  most  essential  external  parts  of 
insects ;  those  parts  which  are  particularly  employed  in  the  description  of  genera  and 
species,  as  well  as  those  used  in  general  classification.  From  these  parts  the  student  will 
be  able  to  form  a  correct  notion  of  the  extent  of  this  class  of  animals ;  but  there  are  yet 
other  portions,  occupying  the  interior  of  the  insect's  body,  which  are  important  for  us  to 
study,  inasmuch  as  they  will  yield  information  in  regard  to  the  economy  of  this  interesting 
class  whieli  will  be  of  essential  service.  I  z-efer  to  the  digestive,  circulatory,  and  nervous 
systems.  If  the  external  forms  of  insects  are  curious  and  interesting,  the  student  will  find 
that  the  apparatus  for  carrying  on  the  foregoing  functions  is  still  more  so.  There  is  espe- 
cially one  curious  fact  particularly  worthy  of  notice  in  relation  to  the  digestive  apparatus  : 
it  is  this,  that  the  secretory  organs  are  reduced  to  t^ie  simplest  form,  that  of  tubes ;  from 
which  we  learn  that  nature  requires  no  special  fonn  of  instrument  for  the  performance  of 
a  given  function. 

All  the  essentials  of  a  digestive  apparatus,  which  belong  to  the  higher  classes  of  animals, 
are  found  in  the  insect.  Some  interesting  differences,  it  is  true,  exist ;  still  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  the  food  of  insects  does  not  really  differ  from  that  of  other  animals,  we  may  ' 
of  course  expect  to  find  the  digestive  organs  essentially  the  same  in  kind.  As  insects  subsist 
upon  various  kinds  of  food,  some  upon  vegetables,  others  upon  the  elaborated  juices  of 
animals  or  upon  flesh,  so  we  find  similar  variations  in  the  form  and  proportion  of  the  organs 
as  exist  among  the  higher  animals.  The  vegetable  feeder  has  a  larger  and  more  capacious 
digestive  apparatus  than  the  carnivorous  insect,  nature  always  adapting  her  means  to  the 
end. 

The  function  of  digestion  in  insects,  as  in  all  other  animals,  is  performed  through  the 
instrumentality  of  an  alimentary  canal.  Our  first  object  will  be  to  describe  this  apparatus. 
The  function  itself  involves  the  existence  of  two  kinds  of  apparatus  :  the  parts  through 
which  the  food  must  pass ;  and  the  parts  which  supply  the  special  fluids  essential  to  eflect 
certain  changes  in  the  food  before  it  can  become  aliment  or  nutrient  matter.  Beginning 
with  the  description  of  the  first  kind  of  apparatus,  namely,  the  organ  or  organs  through 
which  the  food  passes  during  the  process  of  digestion,  we  may  regard  this  apparatus  as  a 


14  DESCRIPTFON    OF    PARTS. 

oanal  open  at  each  extremity,  with  an  enlargement  or  dilatation  more  or  less  in  its  central 
portion  ;  whence  it  is  diminished,  and  becomes  tubular  and  folded  repeatedly  vipon  itself, 
increasing  thereby  in  length  until  in  some  instances  it  is  many  times  the  length  of  the  body. 
Different  portions  of  this  canal  have  received  different  appellations,  as  is  highly  proper, 
from  the  fact  that  certain  of  its  parts  perform  functions  of  a  modified  character,  although 
all  contributing  to  one  general  result.  In  this  division  of  parts,  comparative  anatomists 
have  employed  the  same  names  that  have  long  been  in  use  in  the  anatomy  of  the  higher 
animals,  as  the  following  enumeration  will  show,  to  wit  :  the  pharynx,  oesophagus,  crop, 
gizzard,  stomach  or  chylific  ventricle,  small  intestines,  csecum  and  rectum. 

The  pharynx  is  the  anterior  portion  or  beginning  of  the  canal.  The  cavity  of  the  mouth 
opens  into  it,  and  it  is  an  aperture  more  or  less  enlarged  :  it  is,  however,  better  developed 
in  those  insects  which  masticate  their  food,  the  mandibulated  class.  Indeed  it  is  regarded 
as  having  no  existence  except  in  this  class  ;  for  in  the  suctorial  insect,  the  next  part,  or 
esophagus,  is  in  direct  continuity  with  the  haustella  or  sucking  tube,  which  is  connected 
with  it  by  two  distinct  tubes. 

The  esophagus,  commonly  known  as  the  gullet,  is  a  tube  connecting  the  pharynx  witli 
the  crop,  or  first  enlargement  of  the  intestinal  canal.  It  passes  directly  through  the  thorax 
and  constricted  part  of  the  insect,  terminating  in  the  abdomen  in  the  crop.  It  is  variable 
in  length  :  it  may  form  one-half  the  length  of  the  canal,  while  in  other  instances  it  is  less 
than  one-sixth  of  such  length.  It  has  a  peculiarity  which  has  already  been  alluded  to  :  its 
bifurcation  anteriorly  in  the  lepidoptera,  eacli  spiral  sucking  tube  extending  its  branch  to 
it  just  behind  the  head. 

The  esophagus  is  connected  in  the  first  place  with  the  crop,  an  enlargement  having  a 
close  analogy  in  position  and  form  with  the  crop  of  a  bird.  It  is  also  called  a  stomach  by 
'  some  writers  on  entomology.  It  is  sometimes  placed  on  a  line  with  the  esophagus,  when  it 
appears  as  a  simple  enlargement  of  the  tube  ;  in  otlier  instances  it  is  placed  on  one  side, 
and  then  appears  more  like  a  sac  connected  with  the  esophagus  by  a  short  canal,  and 
serving  as  a  kind  of  reservoir ;  or,  in  other  words,  more  analogous  to  the  crop  of  birds*. 
In  certain  beetles,  as  the  Cicindela,  the  organ  is  provided  with  a  glandular  apparatus,  which 
secretes  an  abundant  and  active  juice  to  soften  and  otherwise  change  the  food  deposited  in 
it.  In  the  hemiptera  it  is  remarkably  modified  in  function  :  it  loses  its  importance  as  a 
depository  of  food,  and  becomes  a  part  of  a  pumping  apparatus  ;  whence  it  has  been  called 
a  sucking  stomach.  The  insect  in  this  case  has  the  power  of  distending  the  sac,  and  thereby 

•  It  is  proper  in  this  place  to  notice  the  fact, 'that  while  there  are  numerous  variations  in  the  form  and  length  of 
the  alimentary  canal  of  insects,  there  are  two  modifications  that  shonld  be  particularly  spoken  of,  namely  :  the 
bot-fly  has  no  opening  at  all  answering  to  the  mouth  and  pharynx,  and  hence  can  take  no  nourishment ;  and  in  the 
larva  of  the  wasp  and  bee,  the  rectum  is  closed,  and  hence  their  economy  does  not  require  the  evacuation  of  cx- 
erementitious  matter. 


'iis»- 


DESCRIPTION    OF   PARTS,  15 

raiifying  the  air  in  its  interior ;  in  consequence  of  which,  fluids  rise  in  it  as  in  a  pump. 
We  have  in  this  case  an  instance  of  a  modification  of  an  organ  of  the  simplest  kind,  by 
which,  however,  the  entire  function  is  changed ;  passing  from  a  digestive  function  to  a 
transferring  one,  or  one  more  immediately  subservient  to  the  mouth. 

XJie  gizzai-d  is  the  next  organ,  and  may  be  distinguished  from  the  crop  by  its  peculiar 
apparatus  for  mastication  :  its  internal  surface  is  studded  "  with  teeth  or  spines,  or  horny 
ridges  ;  "  the  organ,  therefore,  is  eminently  fitted  for  performing  a  perfect  comminution  of 
the  matters  received  into  it.  It  completes,  in  this  respect,  what  has  been  performed  but 
imperfectly.  It  performs  a  function  somewhat  analogous  to  that  of  rumination  in  the 
herbivora.  All  the  insects  which  feed  upon  hard  substances,  those  which  might  be  regarded 
as  nearly  indigestible,  are  provided  with  a  strong  muscular  gizzard,  furnished  with  a 
masticating  apparatus. 

The  stomach,  or  that  part  in  which  we  first  observe  the  food  reduced  to  a  pulpy  mass, 
and  first  exhibiting  a  chylous  appearance,  is  bounded  above  by  the  gizzard,  and  below  by 
a  constricted  portion  of  the  canal,  which  receives  a  bundle  of  vessels  that  give  it  an  ana- 
logy to  the  liver  of  vertebrated  animals,  and  in  fact  it  is  strictly  the  hepatic  organ  of  in- 
sects. The  stomach  is  of  an  oval  shape,  or  an  elongated  oval  :  it  has  been  denominated  the 
chylific  ventricle  by  M.  Leon  Dufour.  Its  capacity  is  considerable  :  its  surface  is  lined  by 
a  mucous  membrane,  and  it  is  sometimes  studded  over  with  little  mucous  cysts  or  bags, 
which  secrete  a  solvent  fluid  similar  in  composition  and  use  to  the  gastric  fluid  of  the 
higher  animals.  Tlie  organ,  in  order  to  increase  the  extent  of  surface,  is  frequently  con- 
stricted, and  also  twisted  upon  itself,  so  as  to  form  many  circumvolutions,  and  hence  it  is 
quite  variable  in  shape  in  the  different  orders  of  insects  :  its  inner  sm-face,  however,  is 
always  villous. 

From  the  stomach  outwards  or  downward,  the  canal  becomes  narrower,  or  passes  along 
with  a  diminished  calibre  ;  but  as  there  are  still  enlargements  or  dilatations  in  its  course, 
anatomists  speak  of  a  duodenum,  ileum,  csecum,  colon  and  rectum.  But  this  is  regarded  by 
many  as  an  unnecessary  multiplication  of  names,  inasmuch  as  it  is  extremely  difficult  to 
recognize  the  parts  which  are  thus  designated.  The  beginning  of  this  part  of  the  canal, 
however,  is  indicated  by  a  constriction  and  the  existence  of  a  sphincter  muscle,  as  well  aa 
by  the  junction  below  of  the  hepatic  vessels.  The  tube  is  generally  short,  rarely  exceeding 
the  length  of  the  body  :  sometimes  it  is  inflated  into  an  ovoid  sac  ratlier  abruptly. 

In  following  out  the  distinction  of  parts  in  the  intestinal  canal,  we  may  recognize  the 
existence  of  a  colon,  or  what  corresponds  to  the  large  intestines  of  the  higher  animals,  by 
the  character  of  the  alimentary  ball ;  for  the  food,  after  having  passed  the  stomach  and 
through  the  narrowed  part  of  the  canal  posterior  to  the  stomach,  loses  its  viscidity,  and 
becomes  more  or  less  dry  and  compacted  into  the  form  of  an  excrement,  showing  by  its 
condition  that  the  nutrient  matter  has  been  extracted  from  it-  Here  is  also  a  valve  to  guard 


16  FUNCTION    OF    DIGESTION. 

the  passage  of  the  canal ,  which  it  closes  to  prevent  the  backward  movement  of  the  digf  sted 
mass.  The  segment  recognized  as  the  cacum  is  short,  and  in  direct  communication  with 
the  anterior  tube  ;  but  in  some  cases  it  seems  as  if  joined  laterally  to  it,  and  then  it  has  the 
appearance  of  a  pouch.  Fluids  are  supposed  to  be  secreted  by  warty  excrescences  situated 
upon  the  mucous  face  of  this  intestine,  designed  to  aid  in  the  digestive  process.  , . 

The  rectum  is  that  part  of  the  large  intestines  which  terminates  the  alimentary  canal 
below  :  it  is  always  short,  and  is  furnished  with  a  sphincter  at  its  extremity.  It  is  mus- 
cular, has  thicker  walls  than  the  ceecum,  and  gives  shape  and  form  to  the  excrements. 

The  function  of  digestion  requires,  in  addition  to  the  formal  tube  .through  which  the 
parent  matter  must  pass,  a  supply  of  certain  fluids  which  shall  possess  a  solvent  power 
upon  the  contained  mass  ;  and  more  than  one  kind  of  fluid  seems  to  be  necessary.  Though 
these  different  fluids  agree  in  use  and  effect  with  analogous  ones  found  in  the  higher  ani- 
mals, the  organs  which  secrete  them  have  a  very  different  form  :  indeed,  the  difference  is 
so  great,  that  a  student  whose  views  of  the  function  of  digestion  have  been  obtained  solely 
from  the  observation  of  the  organs  of  a  vertebrate  animal  would  not  at  first  recognize  the 
parts  which  perform  similar  functions  in  insects. 

The  secretory  organs,  and  those  which  are  subservient  to  digestion,  are  always  tubular 
in  insects  :  the  gland  or  parenchyma  present  in  quadrupeds  being  entirely  absent  in  in- 
sects, these  organs  are  redviced  to  their  simplest  form.  The  kinds  of  tubes  taking  their 
names  according  to  the  natiu-e  of  the  fluid  secreted,  are  the  salivary,  biliary,  and  urinary. 
The  salivary  apparatus  is  quite  complicated  :  it  consists  of  tubes,  single  and  double,  and 
even  triple,  situated  around  the  esophagus  and  mouth,  and  provided  with  bags  that  serve 
as  reservoirs.  The  tubes  open  into  the  mouth  or  esophagus  by  two  or  more  excretory  orifices. 
The  salivary  apparatus  is  most  perfect  in  the  haustellata  or  sucking  insects ;  the  tubes 
ascending  into  the  abovenamed  cavities  in  a  meandering  coui-se,  whereby  the  extent  of 
secreting  surface  is  much  increased. 

The  operation  of  salivation  is  an  important  preliminary  to  digestion  :  mixed  with  the 
food,  the  saliva  serves  to  soften  its  consistence,  while  it  also  carries  along  with  it  much  air 
which  appears  to  be  necessary  for  some  purpose  in  the  econom)'.  The  bile  is  a  still  more 
important  fluid  than  the  saliva  :  it  is  secreted  in  long  capillary  tubes,  more  or  less  flexuose 
and  folded  upon  themselves,  which  connect  with  the  alimentary  tube  below  the  stomach, 
or  just  behind  the  pylorus  ;  though  they  sometimes  continue  farther  down,  and  enter  near 
the  csecum.  These  tubes  vary  in  number  :  there  are  usually  two,  especially  in  coleoptera, 
hemiptera  and  diptera ;  but  in  these  orders  they  are  not  absolutely  uniform,  as  in  the 
cerambycidse  there  are  three,  and  foiu'  in  some  diptera,  while  in  neuroptera  there  are  six, 
and  in  certain  neuropterous  gi-oups  as  many  as  eight.  Where  the  number  of  the  tubes 
varies,  however,  it  operates  as  a  compensation  for  their  length  :  for  example,  if  the  simple 
tubes  are  each  five  or  six  times  the  length  of  the  body,  their  number  is  less  ;  but  when 


FUNCTION    OF   DIGESTION.  17 

they  are  short,  their  number  is  proportionally  increased.  Although  these  hepatic  tubes  are 
generally  quite  uniform  in  diameter,  there  are  some  deviations  from  the  rule  ;  but  it  is 
perhaps  unnecessary  to  describe  particularly  the  few  modifications  that  are  known  to  occur. 
The  function  of  these  tubes,  as  has  been  intimated,  is  to  secrete  or  prepare  a  fluid  analogous 
to  bile.  They  may  be  recognized  in  the  caterpillar,  when  the  abdomen  is  opened,  by  their 
position,  and  by  their  white  vermiform  appearance  :  they  float  apparently  loosely  in  the 
cavity  of  the  abdomen. 

Among  the  secretions  mentioned  is  the  urinary,  which  seems  to  be  far  less  constant  than 
those  already  described.  When  the  urinary  organs  are  present,  they  terminate  in  the  rec- 
tum-: they  have  been  found  in  certain  carnivorous  coleoptera.  The  fluid  which  has  been 
called  the  urine  in  insects,  is  caustic  and  odorous  :  it  is  often  discharged  by  the  carabici, 
on  handling  them,  in  jets,  which,  when  falling  upon  the  skin,  occasion  a  transitory  burning. 
In  connection  with  this  secretion,  may  be  noticed  that  peculiar  to  the  bombardiers,  which 
is  discharged  in  explosive  jets,  and  is  supposed  to  be  intended  as  a  means  of  defence.  The 
name  of  the  genus  possessing  the  power  of  producing  explosive  jets  of  fluid,  is  Brachinus. 
I  am  not  aware  of  the  fact,  if  it  has  been  ascertained,  that  this  fluid  is  similar  in  composi- 
tion to  that  of  the  higher  animals,  or  that  it  contains  ui-ea. 

In  concluding  our  remarks  on  digestion  in  insects,  we  may  observe  that  the  function  is 
performed  in  ways  quite  as  numerous  as  in  the  higher  orders  of  animals,  though  there  is 
no  departui'e  from  the  general  principles  which  prevail  in  the  vertebrate  and  molluscous 
types.  There  is  always  an  apparatus  for  trituration,  or  mechanical  separation  of  the  food 
into  fine  parts  :  it  is  thereby  prepared  for  the  action  of  the  several  fluids  which  concur  in 
the  digestive  process,  and  which  exercise  some  peculiar  chemical  influence  that  serves  to 
separate  the  nutrient  matter  from  the  useless  portion  of  the  food.  These  fluids  are  more 
or  less  acrid  in  their  natui-e  :  thus  the  saliva  injected  into  the  wound  made  by  a  flea  or  a 
fly,  for  example,  by  the  tabanus,  occasions  inflammation  and  itching  ;  and  this  irritation 
is  designed  to  favor  the  insect,  inasmuch  as  it  produces  a  flow  of  blood  to  the  wounded 
part.  An  effect  of  saliva  is  seen  upon  leaves  attacked  by  the  caterpillar,  which  very  soon 
suffer  a  loss  of  color ;  and  as  the  moi-sel  swallowed  passes  along  from  one  receptacle  to 
another,  it  is  constantly  undergoing  changes  :  it  is  softened  in  the  crop  ;  in  the  gizzard, 
it  becomes  pulpy ;  and  in  the  true  stomach  the  chyle  is  formed,  and  is  at  once  recognized 
by  the  globules  it  contains. 

A  controversy  has  been  long  maintained  respecting  the  oflice  of  those  tubes  which  have 
been  called  hepatic  or  biliary.  Some  eminent  physiologists  have  regarded  them  as  urinary, 
inasmuch  as  uric  acid  is  sometimes  found  in  them  ;  but  as  this  is  not  always  the  case,  a 
compromise  seems  to  have  been  made  by  regarding  them  as  both  biliary  and  urinary,  and' 
giving  them  a  corresponding  denomination  urino-biliary.  The  circumstance  that  the  same 
tubes  which  have  since  been  found  sometimes  to  contain  urine  were  regarded  as  biliary 
[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  3- 


18  CIRCULATORY    SYSTEM. 

tubes  by  the  older  anatomists  and  physiologists,  is  accordant  with  known  facts  in  the 
economy  of  the  lower  animals,  among  Avhich  it  is  common  for  an  organ  to  perform  a  double 
function. 

The  food  in  the  alimentary  canal  of  insects  is  moved  along  by  a  peristaltic  motion  :  the 
canal,  therefore,  is  supplied  with  a  muscular  apparatus.  Indeed,  from  the  phenomena 
exhibited,  we  might  infer  that  the  apparatus  has  a  construction  and  parts  such  as  have 
place  in  quadrupeds  :  thus  the  coats  of  the  alimentary  canal  are  three,  a  mucous,  a  cellu- 
lar, and  a  muscular  coat ;  the  first  being  the  internal  one,  the  muscular  the  outside,  and 
the  cellular  in  the  middle.  The  mucous  coat  is  thin,  often  transparent,  and  difiicult  to 
detect.  The  muscular  coat  is  perfectly  developed  :  its  fibres  are  both  longitudinal  and 
circular  ;  and  where  the  constrictions  peculiar  to  the  tube  exist,  there  it  is  more  perfectly 
developed,  or  in  greater  force.  These  muscles  serve  partly  as  sphincters,  and  also  to  keep 
up  a  continual  movement. 

Circulation.  Insects  are  furnished  with  a  circulatory  apparatus  :  it  consists  of  a  dorsal 
vessel,  which,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  a  tube  running  beneath  the  dorsal  face  of  the  ex- 
ternal covering.  This  is  the  central  organ,  and  is  equivalent  to  the  heart  in  the  higher 
orders  of  animals  ;  and  the  circulation  is  continued  from  the  dorsal  vessel,  in  channels 
excavated  in  the  tissues.  Tlie  structure  of  the  dorsal  vessel  permits  the  blood  to  flow  from 
the  posterior  to  the  anterior  part  of  the  animal,  by  means  of  a  series  of  valves  opening 
forwards.  The  blood  is  transmitted  to  the  thorax  and  head,  the  wings  and  legs,  and  returns 
through  certain  channels  denominated  veins,  which  open  into  the  dorsal  at  different  points 
through  the  valves ;  but  the  larger  portion  of  the  returned  fluid  collects  in  the  posterior 
chamber,  and  passes  the  whole  length  of  the  vessel.  The  vessel  has  been,  and  still  is,  re- 
garded by  some  physiologists  as  analogous  to  the  heart  :  others,  however,  consider  it  as 
more  analogous  to  the  aorta  of  quadrupeds. 

It  does  not  seem  to  be  a  matter  of  much  importance  whether  we  regard  the  so-called 
dorsal  vessel  a  heart,  an  aorta,  or  an  organ  compounded  of  both,  the  posterior  segment 
taking  more  especially  the  form  and  function  of  an  aortic  vessel.  Its  visible  contractions, 
as  seen  through  the  transparent  covering  of  many  insects,  furnish  ostensibly  valid  reasons 
for  regarding  it  a  heart. 

The  fluids  which  circulate  in  the  vascular  system  of  insects  are  usually  white,  carrying 
along  distinct  corpuscules  having  forms  like  those  which  are  found  in  the  higher  and  more 
perfect  animals. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  facts,  it  should  also  be  stated  that  the  circulation  in 
insects  is  carried  on  in  vessels  having  close  proximity  with  those  of  another  kind,  namely, 
the  air-vessels,  or  trachea.  The  two  classes  are  easily  distinguished  from  each  other  by  the 
structure  of  the  latter ;  for  in  order  that  air  may  traverse  the  insect  system,  it  is  necessary 


CIRCULATORY    AND   NERVOUS    SYSTEMS.  »         19 

that  its  conducting  vessels  be  maintained  in  a  tubular  form  :  this  is  effected  by  means  of 
a  spiral  elastic  thread  wound  closely  upon  itself.  By  this  means  the  vessels  are  prevented 
from  collapsing,  the  air  enters  freely  at  the  sides  of  the  insect,  and  permeates  perfectly  the 
whole  system.  The  air,  then,  is  constantly  in  contact  with  the  thin  membrane  intervening 
between  the  trachea  and  those  vessels  which  transmit  the  blood  to  the  different  parts  of 
the  insect's  body  and  extremities.  Recent  observations  prove,  in  regard  to  the  relations  of 
blood  and  air,  that  the  former  moves  through  the  space  between  the  outer  and  inner 
membranes,  in  which  a  spiral  filament  winds,  so  as  to  bathe  the  exterior  of  the  air-tubes 
themselves*. 

It  would  therefore  seem  that  there  is  in  insects  a  most  complex  system  of  spiral  vessels 
or  air-tubes,  in  connection  and  close  relation  with  the  vascular  system,  both  being  dis- 
tributed with  the  greatest  minuteness  throughout  the  whole  body.  There  is  still  another 
provision  for  keeping  up  a  supply  of  air  especially  in  those  insects  whose  flight  is  rapid, 
and  requires  to  be  long  sustained  :  it  is  found  in  the  air-sacs  that  are  distributed  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  body;  they  serve  not  only  to  retain  a  due  supply  of  air,  but  also  to 
buoy  up  the  body  and  render  it  lighter.  The  pulmonary  system,  by  a  combination  of  elastic 
tubes  and  sacs,  receives  an  extraordinary  development,  so  as  to  compensate  in  the  most 
perfect  manner  for  the  deficiencies  resulting  from  a  less  perfect  form  of  circulation  ;  for 
powerful  muscular  motion  requires  a  rich  supply  of  oxygen,  rather  than  food,  in  order  to 
give  energy  and  activity  to  the  muscular  system. 

From  these  facts,  it  appears  that  insects  occupy  no  mean  place  in  the  scale  of  being, 
when  they  are  ranked  according  to  the  development  of  their  circulatory  apparatus  and 
the  accompanying  tracheal  system.  This  combination,  so  far  as  the  power  of  muscular 
motion  is  concerned  in-  the  estimate,  serves  to  elevate  the  insect  to  a  rank  but  little  below 
that  of  the  vertebrate  class. 

Nervous  system..  The  nervous  system  consists  of  a  pair  of  chords  extending  through 
the  insect,  upon  the  interior  abdominal  face, and  connected  at  each  segment  by  a  ganglion. 
Thus  disposed  along  the  ventral  face  of  the  body,  the  nervous  system  forms  a  symmetrical 
whole.  The  ganglionic  masses  of  the  head,  however,  are  more  largely  developed  than  those 
of  the  trunk  :  this  is  necessary,  from  the  condition  of  the  eyes  and  the  perfection  of  the 
masticating  apparatus.  The  cephalic  centres  are  placed  also  above  the  esophagus..  So  the 
nervous  centres  which  supply  the  wings  and  legs  are  larger  than  those  of  the  abdomen. 
We  see  here  again  a  provision  for  the  locomotive  apparatus,  by  which  a  due  supply  of 
nervous  power  or  foi-ce  is  secured. 

There  are  probably  but  few  instances  in  the  animal  kingdom,  that  exhibit  such  minute 


•  See  Carpenter,  p.  382  of  his  General  and  Comparative  Plysiology, 


^^ 


20         •  NERVOUS   SYSTEM  ;    SENSE    OF   TOUCH. 

subdivisions  of  matter  as  certain  portions  of  tlie  nervous  system  do.  Thus  when  it  is  stated 
for  the  first  time  in  our  hearing,  that  the  eye  of  the  common  house-fly  is  compounded  of 
no  less  than  4000  single  eyes,  it  seems  impossible  that  a  nerve,  originally  microscopic,  can 
be  subdivided  into  threads  or  fibres  sufficiently  fine  to  furnish  a  nerve  to  each  simple  eye ; 
and  when  we  are  further  informed  that  the  eye  of  the  dragon-fly  has  (24,000)  six  times 
as  many  subdivisions  as  that  of  the  house-fly,  our  faith  is  still  more  severely  taxed  ;  but 
to  suppose  that  a  filament  is  wanting  in  an  eye,  is  to  suppose  that  the  eye  is  made  in  vain ; 
for  the  eye  depends  upon  its  nervous  filament,  however  slender  that  may  be,  for  its  power 
of  vision. 

The  sympathetic  system  of  nerves  in  insects  has  been  known  from  the  days  of  Swam- 
MERDAM,  who  first  discovcrcd  it  in  the  rhinoceros  beetle.  While  this  system  is  found  more 
or  less  perfect  in  all  articulated  animals,  it  is  specially  perfected  in  insects.  The  imperfec- 
tion of  the  nervous  apparatus  consists  in  the  absence  of  the  cerebral  masses,  or  of  all  that 
portion  concerned  in  the  formation  of  ideas.  Nothing  appears  in  the  nervous  system  of 
the  articulata,  higher  or  above  the  ganglionic  centres  which  connect  together  the  double 
ventral  chord.  The  ganglia  of  this  system  which  are  more  particularly  devoted  to  the 
purely  animal  functions,  undergo  a  slight  change  during  the  passage  fi-om  the  larval  state 
to  that  of  the  perfect  insect ;  the  change  consisting  chiefiy  in  a  concentration  of  nervous 
matter  upon  those  ganglia  which  are  subservient  to  the  function  of  locomotion.  The  sym- 
pathetic system,  however,  undergoes  no  change  :  it  is  equally  perfect  in  the  larva  as  in 
the  mature  animal,  and  reaches  its  full  development  in  this  early  stage  of  existence,  there- 
by showing  that  it  presides  over  the  functions  of  vegetative  life. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  speak  more  particularly  of  the  functions  of  the  nervous 
system.  It  may,  however,  be  observed,  that  it  is  upon  this  system  that  sensation  depends, 
and  the  nervous  fibrils  are  the  channels  through  which  the  properties  of  external  bodies 
become  known  to  the  individual.  If  we  may  judge  of  causes  by  effects,  we  are  warranted 
in  believing  that  impressions  are  received  by  insects  from  without,  in  the  same  manner  as 
is  the  case  with  the  higher  animals ;  and  that  they  possess  all  those  special  senses  which 
belong  to  the  latter,  and  some  of  them  in  much  greater  perfection. 

Touch.  The  sense  of  touch  in  insects,  in  consequence  of  the  hard  covering  of  their 
bodies,  must  be  confined  to  certain  parts.  Those  who  have  watched  their  motions  are  fully 
convinced  that  the  palpi  are  the  organs  in  which  this  sense  is  concentrated,  or  in  which  it 
exists  in  its  greatest  perfection.  These  organs  are  constantly  applied  by  the  insect,  after 
•the  manner  oi  feeler s^  to  the  external  bodies  with  which  it  comes  in  proximity  ;  and  they 
are  well  adapted  by  their  structure  to  fulfil  such  a  purpose,  being  flexible,  and  furnished 
with  a  soft  and  delicate  integument. 


FUNCTIONS    OF    HEARING,    TASTING,    SMELLING,  AND    SEEING.  21 

Hearing.  The  plienomeua  wliich  indicate  tlie  existence  of  the  sense  of  hearing  are 
perhaps  more  equivocal  than  those  of  touch.  Still  attentive  observers  have  noticed  that 
insects  seem  to  place  themselves  in  an  attitude  of  listening",  when  loud  sounds  are  emitted 
from  any  quarter  in  their  vicinity  :  they  erect  their  antennae,  and  remain  motionless  for 
the  time  being  ;  and  when  the  distm-bance  has  ceased  to  excite  them,  they  resume  their 
ordinaiy  movements.  From  the  position  of  the  antennae,  then,  under  the  circumstances 
alluded  to,  it  is  inferred  tliat  they  are  connected  directly  with  the  function  of  hearing. 
Beneath  them  is  a  nei-ve  connected  with  a  soft  membrane,  which  seems  to  be  adapted  to 
this  special  end.  The  antennaj  in  themselves  extending  outwardly,  must  become  sensible 
of  the  vibrations  in  the  air,  and  transmit  them  to  this  delicate  auditory  apparatus  lying 
immediately  beneatli.  The  organs  are  often  long-branched,  or  plumose,  so  as  to  increase 
the  extent  of  surface.  This  view  of  the  office  of  the  antennae  does  not  conflict  with  the  one 
often  entertained,  namely,  that  they  may  also  be  useful  and  employed  as  organs  of  touch. 

Taste.  The  existence  of  this  sense  rests  more  upon  analogy,  than  upon  well  determined 
facts  to  support  and  prove  its  existence. 

Smell.  Insects  are  attracted  to  odorous  bodies  from  a  distance  :  hence  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  they  are  possessed  of  the  sense  of  smell  in  great  perfection,  although  its  precise 
location  is  a  matter  of  great  uncertainty.  Several  different  parts  of  the  insect's  body  have 
been  conjecturally  assumed  as  the  seat  of  this  sense ;  and  it  has  often  been  assigned  to 
parts  that  are  variable,  evanescent,  or  of  occasional  existence  only.  If  analogical  reasoning 
were  to  be  our  guide  in  this  case,  we  should  point  to  certain  inward  parts  of  the  body  that 
are  in  direct  relation  with  the  external  air.  In  the  mammalia,  though  the  organ  of  smell 
is  located  in  the  head,  yet  its  distinguishing  characteristic  is  its  immediate  communication 
with  the  atmosphere,  and  the  sense  itself  is  exercised  only  when  the  air  is  inhaled.  It  i« 
not  necessary  to  infer,  that  because  in  the  higher  animal  it  holds  this  intimate  relation  to 
the  head,  that  it  must  occupy  the  same  place  in  the  insect  :  it  is  more  consistent  to  suppose 
that  its  closest  relation  is  with  the  respiratory  organs.  It  is  highly  probable,  therefore,  that 
the  trachea  and  spiral  vessels,  which  conduct  the  air  inwards,  constitute  the  channels  by 
which  this  sense  is  furnished  with  the  odorous  particles  on  which  the  sensuous  nerve  is  to 
operate.  Accordingly  this  view  is  looked  upon  with  favor  by  Cuvier  and  many  other  dis- 
tinguished physiologists. 

Sight.  Of  all  tlie  senses,  that  of  sight  seems  to  be  the  most  perfect  in  insects.  The 
organ  is  compound,  or,  in  other  words,  consists  of  many  eyes  comparted  together,  each  of 
which  is  perfect  in  itself,  being  furnished  with  the  proper  humors  and  lenses  essential  to 
the  exercise  of  vision.  In  addition  to  the  compound  eye,  which  often  occupies  the  largest 
portion  of  the  head,  they  are  often  furnished  with  simple  eyes  upon  the  forehead  :  these 


22  FUNCTION    OF    VISION. 

have  received  the  names  of  ocelli  and  stemmata,  and  are  generally  three  in  number,  and 
arranged  in  the  form  of  a  triangle  ;  but  there  may  be  but  two,  or  only  one.  Their  structure 
qualifies  them  for  viewing  such  objects  only  as  are  close  at  hand. 

The  compound  eye  presents  a  reticulated  appearance  under  the  microscope  :  the  surface 
is  convex  or  globular ;  but  the  organ  is  immovable,  except  by  the  motion  of  the  head. 
The  reticulated  appearance  is  produced  by  the  lines  that  mark  the  boundary  of  each  eye 
or  lens  :  these  are  hexagonal,  and  their  number  is  almost  incredibly  great  in  some  species. 
They  vary  in  tliis  respect  from  50  in  the  ant,  to  25,000  in  a  species  of  Mordella  :  the 
butterfly  has  17,000,  and  the  dragonfly  12,544.  Each  eye  is  furnished  with  an  apparatus 
sufficiently  perfect  for  the  exercise  of  vision  in  its  sphere  :;  it  has  its  lens  for  refraction, 
its  choroid  for  the  correction  of  aberration,  and  its  retina  for  the  reception  of  the  images 
of  external  objects.  Each  single  eye,  however,  must  embrace  an  extremely  limited  field  of 
vision,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it  requires  the  use  of  many  of  these  eyes  to  see  a  single 
object ;  for  only  those  rays  of  light  that  fall  perpendicularly  upon  the  eye  can  reach  the 
optic  nerve. 

The  eyes  of  predaceous  insects,  such  as  the  dragonfly,  are  large,  prominent  and  globular  : 
hence  they  enjoy,,  altogether,  a  large  field  of  vision.  In  those  insects,  on  the  other  hand, 
which  are  confined  in  their  range,  or  ai-e  parasitic,  the  field  of  view  is  diminished  by  a 
reverse  of  circumstances. 

The  nerve  of  each  eye  terminates  in  a  common  nerve  :  this  must  be  regarded  as  the 
sensorium  commune,  the  nervous  plane  upon  which  the  image  of  an  object  is  spread.  Some- 
times the  eye  is  pedunculated,  or  placed  upon  a  footstalk  :  sometimes  it  is  semicircular, 
in  consequence  of  the  implantation  of  the  antennse,  and  indeed  this  implantation  may  be 
such  as  to  give  the  semblance  of  four  eyes.  In  other  instances  the  size  of  the  eye  is  a  sexual 
mark. 

We  are  too  much  in  the  habit  of  looking  vaguely  upon  the  insect  tribes.  While  we 
recoo-nize  the  movements  of  the  vertebrated  class  as  resulting  from  distinct  acts  of  the  will, 
and  as  controlled  by  internal  feelings,  we  are  little  disposed  to  entertain  the  view  that  the 
apparatus  of  a  fly  or  a  beetle  indicates  similar  internal  motives  for  action ;  or,  in  other 
words,  we  do  not  possess  so  lively  a  sense  of  the  perfection  of  the  being  of  the  insect,  as 
of  the  beiiag  of  the  higher  order..  We  see,  however,  that  insects  have  eyes  to  see,  cars  to 
hear,  and  orgajis  of  smell ;  a  highly  developed  nervous  apparatus,  and  an  active  circula- 
tion :  in  fine,  the  insect  moves  in  a  world  of  its  own,  which  takes  no  part  in  the  sphere 
belonging  to  the  mollusca  or  vertebrata.  Its  senses  and  organs  of  animal  life,  however,  give 
it  a  wide  sphere  of  activity,  and  have  prepared  it  for  fulfilling  important  functions,  and 
furnished  it  with  a  capability  to  affect  very  materially  the  interests  of  man.  Being  widely 
diffused,  and  their  life  overflowing  with  activity,  always  moving  as  if  impelled  forward  by 
important  business  or  engaged  in  errands  of  the  most  momentous  character,  tliey  seem  to 


FUNCTION    OF    MOTION.  23 

make  the  most  of  their  brief  and  uncertain  existence.  Witness  the  energy  of  the  dung- 
beetle  in  finishing  tlie  ball  in  which  it  has  deposited  its  egg  :  it  often  dies  in  the  act  of 
providing  for  the  continuance  of  the  life  of  its  kind.  To  some  these  actions  may  seem  less 
intei-esting,  because  instinctive  ;  but  surely  the  faculty  of  instinct  affords  matter  for  deep 
thought  to  the  ordinaiy  observer,  and  to  the  philosopher  it  must  possess  an  interest  next  to 
that  of  reason  itself.  Instinct  urges  the  individual  forward  to  the  fulfilment  of  its  destiny, 
but  it  makes  no  inquiry  as  to  the  cost. 

Muscular  motion.  The  insect  enjoys  a  full  development  of  the  power  of  motion, 
especially  in  itsj  perfect  state  :  the  two  kinds  of  muscle,  striated  and  non-striated,  are  al- 
ways present.  Every  part  of  the  system  is  supplied  with  muscular  fibres  ;  not  only  are  the 
legs  and  wings  largely  supplied  with  them,  but  also  the  abdomen  and  various  parts  of  the 
trunk,  head,  and  thorax.  The  most  interesting  fact  which  appears  in  this  connexion,  is  the 
power  of  the  insect  to  sustain  a  long  and  vigorous  flight  :  thus  the  dragonfly  darts  for- 
wards, backwards,  or  sideways,  and  is  able  to  outstrip  the  swallow  in  its  most  rapid  course ; 
and  this  it  can  do  for  hours  together.  Taking  into  consideration  the  diminutive  size  of 
insects,  we  readily  see,  that  in  proportionate  locomotive  power,  they  far  excel  the  verte- 
brate animal.  We  have  already  observed  that  their  joints  usually  admit  of  but  two  kinds 
of  motion,  forwards  and  backwards,  or  the  ginglimus  movement  :  when,  however,  this 
motion  is  exerted  in  extension  and  flexion,  as  in  the  leaping  of  the  grasshopper  or  flea,  we 
cannot  fail  to  perceive  that  their  powers  in  this  respect,  also  as  in  flying,  are  far  superior 
to  those  possessed  by  any  other  class  of  animals. 

Though  the  lai'val  state  of  insects  is  generally  sluggish,  we  are  not  without  many 
examples  where  there  is  a  great  degree  of  activity.  We  often  see  the  caterpillar  hurrying 
along  as  if  it  were  in  great  haste,  though  tlie  space  it  is  able  to  traverse  is  quite  limited- 
We  observe,  in  all  these  movements,  an  aim  to  preserve  life  :  the  life  of  self,  however,  is 
subordinate  to  that  of  kind  or  progeny. 

Propagation.  Insects  propagate  their  kinds  from  eggs  laid  by  the  female,  subsequent 
to  the  act  of  congress  with  the  male  :  the  sexes  are  therefore  distinct.  Their  power  of 
multiplication  is  immense,  especially  in  those  insects  which  produce  several  broods  in  a 
season.  But  there  is  a  remarkable  exception  to  the  foregoing  rule  :  the  aphis  increases  by 
a  process  of  gemmation  ;  females  being  cast  off  at  once  for  several  generations,  of  which 
each  possesses  the  power  of  multiplying  its  kind  in  the  same  way.  Carpenter  likens  it  to 
the  gemmation  of  the  polypi,  "  the  individuals  being  budded  off  from  internal  stolons, 
instead  of  being  developed  from  ova  provided  by  the  female  and  fertilized  by  the  male." 
It  has  long  been  known,  that  in  the  aphis,  this  method  of  propagation  is  repeated  to  the 
seventh  or  ninth  generation.  At  tlie  end  of  the  season,  the  perfect  individuals,  both  male 


24  FUNCTION    OF    PROPAGATION. 

and  female  in  a  winged  state,  are  produced,  by  the  congress  of  which  ova  are  fertilized  : 
these  are  preserved  through  the  winter. 

It  would  seem  from  this,  that  although  in  the  articulated  class  budding  is  resorted  to  to 
multiply  the  number  of  individuals,  yet  it  is  not  adequate  to  continue  the  existence  of  the 
species.  Calculations  have  been  made  of  the  numbers  which  an  aphis  may  produce  in  a 
single  season,  provided  the  individuals  are  not  destroyed  by  accident.  According  then  to 
calculation,  based  upon  observed  facts,  the  whole  brood  in  a  season  from  a  single  aphis 
will  amount  to  the  inconceivable  number  of  1, 000,900,000,000,000 jOOO !  From  such  an 
ability  to  increase,  we  should  at  first  thought  be  disposed  to  expect  a  result  approaching 
the  calculated  numbers  ;  but  it  is  gratifying  to  observe,  that  where  the  powers  of  increase 
are  extended  and  multiplied  as  in  the  case  of  the  aphis,  the  destructive  powers  are  equally 
multiplied  and  active  :  there  is  therefore  but  little  reason  to  fear  an  excessively  injurious 
multiplication  in  the  midst  of  so  many  enemies.  The  aphis  is  extremely  feeble  :  the  touch 
destroys  it ;  the  winds,  rains,  and  cold  sweep  off  its  numbers  by  hundreds  of  thousands. 
The  excessive  multiplication  of  individuals  is  only  a  means  of  supplying  an  increased 
number  of  consumers  :  hence  instead  of  an  approach  to  the  enormous  number  indicated 
by  calculation,  their  actual  numbers  will  fall  infinitely  short  of  it.  The  balance  of  nature 
is  always  preserved  ;  and  wherever  danger  seems  to  point,  there  checks  are  provided,  which 
put  an  effectual  restraint  upon  inordinate  increase.  We  may  conceive  of  what  is  possible; 
but  the  actual  just  suffices  to  keep  up  a  suitable  equilibrium  :  at  most  the  threatening  is 
transient,  and  recurs  only  at  wide  intervals. 


EXPLANATION   OF   ANATOMICAL    PLATES.  25 


APPENDIX  TO  CHAPTER  II. 


DESCKIPTION  AND  REPRESENTATION  OF  PARTS  OF  SUCH  INSECTS  AS  ARE 
REFERRED  TO  IN  THE  FOLLOWING  TREATISE. 

(  Copied  mostly  from  the  Nmuralist's  Library.) 

I.  PARTS  OF  THE  HEAD,  MOUTH,  &c.— PLATE  A. 

Fig.  1.  Head,  upper  side  :  a,  forehead  ;  I,  vertex  ;  c,  occiput ;  dd,  temples  ;  ee,  eyes ;  /,  torulus,  the 

cavity  for  the  insertion  of  the  antennaj ;  g,  clypeus  ;  h,  labrum. 
Fig.  2.  Under  side  of  the  head  :  It,  posterior  orifice  ;  Z,  neck ;  m,  mentum ;  o,  eyes ;   p,  mandibles  ; 

s,  labial  palpi. 
Bigs.  3,  4,  5.  Forms  of  the  labrum. 
Fig.  5.  Mandible  of  Hydnis  piccus. 
Fig.  7.  Mandible  of  Garius. 
Fig.  8.  Mandible  of  Cahsoma  sycophanta. 
Fig.  9.  Maxilla  of  Necrophoms  germanims  :  a,  maxillary  palpus ;  b,  external  lobe  of  the  maxilla  ; 

c,  internal  lobe. 
Fig.  10.  Maxilla  of  Cicindela  :  a,  external  maxillary  palpus  :  b,  internal  ditto  ;  c,  interior  lobe,  with 

an  articulated  hook  at  the  apex  d. 
Fig.  11.  Form  of  the  maxilla  of  Hydrus  piceus  :  a,  insertion  or  hinge  ;  b,  dorsal  piece  ;  c,  squame- 

palpifers  of  Strauss  :  bed  form  the  stalk  (stipes) ;  e,  external  lobe  ;  /,  internal  ditto. 
Fig.  12.  Labium  of  Cychnts  rostratus  :  a,  mentum  ;  b,  ligula ;  c,  labial  palpi. 
Fig.  13.  Labium  of  Carabus,  inside  :  a,  mentum  ;  b,  lingua ;  c,  paraglossas. 

Fig.  14.  Thorax  of  ScoliaJlavifro7is,  showing  in  succession  the  prothorax,  mesothorax  and  metathorax, 
also  the  coxaj  :  A,  pronotum  ;  c,  mesonotum  ;  F,  metanotum  ;  nn,  parapleura ;    c,  soutel- 
lura  ;  dd,  patagia. 
Fig.  15.  Side  view  of  the  thorax  of  Scolia  JlatifroJis  :  e,  mesosternum ;    b,  prosternum ;    g,  meta- 

sternum  ;  d,  patagium  ;  c.  scutellum  ;  a,  first  spiracle  ;  b,  second  ditto. 
Fig.  16.  View  of  the  same  from  beneath  :  bb,  prosternum  ;  ee,  mesosternum  ;  ao,  mctasternuni. 
Fig.  17.  Thorax  of  Cicada  fraxini  :  A,  pronotum ;    c,  mesonotum ;  FF,  metanotum  ;    c,  scutellum  ; 

dd,  frenum. 
Fig.  18.  ILm^hg  oi  Melolonlha  vulgaris  :  aJ,  coxa  ;  cf,  trochanter ;  e,   thigh;  /,  tibia;    h,  tarsus; 

i,  claws. 
Fig.  19.  Pectinated  claws. 

[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  4 


26  EXPLANATION    OF    ANATOMICAL    PLATES. 

Fig.  20.  Claws  of  Asilus  :  o,  central  filaments ;  ss,  membranous  expansion  of  the  terminal  joint,  ad- 
vanced beneath  the  claws. 

Figs.  25,  26  :  showing  the  upper  and  under  side  of  the  domestic  cricket  [Acheta  aradmoidea). 

Fig.  27.  Maxillary  palpi  (it)  of  the  cricket;  b,  galea. 

Fig.  28.  Lower  lip  of  the  cricket  :  a,  uientum ;  d,  labium;  e,  additional  articulations,  divided  into 
two,  three,  or  more  lobes  ;  cc,  apparently  3-jointed  palpi,  yet  the  basal  joint  enveloped  or 
concealed  in  the  lip. 

Fig.  29.  Mandibles  of  the  grasshopper  {Aorydium)  :  b,  molar  plate. 

Fig.  30.  Mandibles  of  the  cricket. 

Figs.  31,  32.  Forms  of  antennas. 

Fig.  33.  Serrated  antennjc. 

Fig.  34.  Lamelliform  antenna?. 

Yi".  35.  Pectinated  antennae ;  bipectinated,  if  it  produces  two  long  teeth,  instead  of  one  ;  and  flabel- 
late,  when  the  branches  are  very  long,  and  flattened  Idee  the  rays  of  a  fan. 

Fig.  41.  Setaceous  antenna;  :  filiform,  when  the  antennoe  are  of  unequal  thickness ;  moniliform,  as  in 
fig.  42  ;  ensiform,  when  tapering,  and  angulatcd  at  the  sides  ;  subulate,  when  short,  and 
pointed  at  the  tip ;  fusiform,  when  narrowed  at  the  two  extremities  and  thickened  in  the 
centre,  as  in  fig.  43  ;  clavate,  when  they  gradually  thicken  at  the  top,  as  in  37  and  35  ; 
geniculate,  when  bent  as  in  39  abc  ;  capitate,  when  terminated  in  a  knob  or  head,  as  36  , 
plumose,  when  the  lateral  filaments  go  oflf  from  a  shaft,  like  those  of  a  feather ;  nodose, 
when  the  joints  are  thickened  in  various  parts  like  knobs  ;  vorticillate,  when  whorls  of  hairs 
are  placed  at  equal  distances  upon  the  joints  ;  fasciculate,  when  the  hairs  are  gathered  in 
bundles  upon  each  joint;  soopiferous,  when  a  single  bundle  is  p)laced  upon  one  joint; 
palmate,  when  the  antennsc  are  short,  broad,  and  divided  by  deep  divisions  ;  auriculate, 
when  one  of  the  basal  joints  is  dilated  into  a  shield  or  oar  partially  covering  the  rest ; 
fissile,  when  they  are  terminated  by  a  cleft  knob  ;  ramose,  when  several  of  the  joints  throw 
out  branches  ;  furcate,  when  there  are  two  branches  like  a  fork  ;  aristate,  when  the  antennae 
are  terminated  by  a  fine  bristle,  as  in  the  order  Musca  ;  dentate,  when  the  joints  are  armed 
■  with  short  spines ;  cylindrical,  when  they  are  of  equal  diameter  throughout  ;  prismatic, 
when  they  resemble  a  prism,  or  are  formed  of  three  sides. 

II.    PARTS  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  APPAR.ITUS.— PLATE  B. 

Figs.  2,  3.  a  shows  the  esophagus,  beginning  in  fig.  3  just  behind  the  head,  and  terminating  in  an  en- 
largement which  is  the  crop ;  or,  if  the  crop  is  absent,  it  terminates  in  the  gizzard  d.  The 
esophagus  is  a  simple  tube,  except  in  the  lopidoptera. 

Fig.  4  c  represents  the  position  and  relation  of  what  has  been  denominated  a  sucking  stomach.  The 
gizzard  is  shown  in  position,  fig.  2  c.  The  true  stomach,  or,  as  called  by  some  entomologists, 
the  clujlific  ventricle,  is  seen  in  figs.  2  &  3  <Z  ;  in  this  organ  the  food  becomes  semifluid  or 
pulpy,  and  remains  until  chylification  takes  place.  The  intestine  begins  as  represented  in 
fig.  3,  where  the  lateral  tubes  are  inserted  :  it  preserves  a  course  more  or  less  contorted,  as 
is  seen  at  f ;  and  in  some  instances  it  is  enlarged  or  inflated,  as  at  g.  The  ca3cum  is  seen 
at  g  fig.  2. 


EXPLANATION    OF    ANATOMICAL    PLATES.  27 

Fig.  3  h  exhibits  the  termination  of  the  intestinal  canal  in  the  rectum. 

Fig.  5  aa  exhibits  the  salivary  apparatus,  having  fleshy  org.ans  at  the  bapc  of  the  head,  and  tubes  that 

pour  saliva  into  the  mouth  during  mastication. 
Fig.  4  aa.  General  arrangement  of  the  urinary  organs,  the  secreting  vessels  disposed  on  the  tops  of 

small  tranches  ;  cd,  the  bladder ;  h,  deferential  canal. 
Fig.  1  represents  an  arrangement  that  exists  among  the  bombardiers  :  a,  accessory  bladder  ;  c,  principal 

bladder. 
Fig.  6  exhibits  the  biliary  organs  cc,  fringed  as  in  the  cockchafer. 

III.  CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM.— PLATE  B. 

Fig.  13  :  aaa,  dorsal  vessel ;  b,  wings  ;  cd,  diminution  in  diameter  towards  the  head. 
Fig.  14  shows  the  interior  walls  of  the  dorsal  vessel,  circular  fibres,  arrangement  of  its  walls,  and  the 
valves. 

IV.  RESPIRATORY  SYSTEM.— PLATE  B 
Fig.  12.  Spiracles  or  stigmata. 

Fig.  9.  Another  form  of  stigmata. 

Fig.  16.  Stigmata  of  Dijtisms  marginalis,  edges  of  which  are  beset  with  hairs. 

Fig.  15.  Stigmata  of  the  cockchafer,  where  there  is  a  membrane  drilled  with  holes. 

Fig.  8.  A  circular  membrane  stretched  over  the  valves,  and  ornamented  with  colors. 

Fig.  17  shows  the  rows  of  stigmata  along  the  sides. 

Fig.  10  exhibits  the  system  of  the  trachea  or  air-vessels  :  aa,  stigmata;    lb,  ventral  spiracles;    cc, 

trunks  closed  at  their  extremities  ;  ee,  bladder-like  bag,  receiving  the  longitudinal  trachea  ; 

fff,  trachea  for  the  wings  ;   gg  &  hh,  bags  for  air ;  k,  trachea  for  the  thorax ;  II,  trachea 

for  the  head  ;  o,  base  of  the  tegmina. 

V.    NERVOUS  SYSTEM.— PLATES  B  &  E. 

Fig.  2  ( PL  B),  ghilll,  exhibits  the  principal  ventral  chord,  with  its  ganglia. 

Fig.  2  (  PL  E).^  Nervous  chord  of  the  cockchafer  :  1  1,  lobes  of  the  anterior  cephalic  ganglion  ;  aa, 
optic  nerves  ;  bb,  eyes  ;  2,  posterior  cephalic  ganglion  ;  3,  prothoracic  ganglion  ;  4,  meso- 
thoracic  ganglion  ;  5,  metathoracic  ganglion  ;  6,  ganglion  of  the  abdominal  series  ;  dd, 
mandibular  nerves  ;  cc,  antenna). 

Fig.  1.  Nervous  system  of  the  caterpillar  of  the  Sphinx  ligustri,  a  few  days  before  it  becomes  a  chry- 
salis  :  1,  cerebral  ganglion  ;  2,  posterior  ditto  ;  3,  4,  .5,  6,  thoracic  ganglia  ;  7,  8,  9,  10, 
11,  12,  abdominal  ganglia;  ooo,  sy.stem  of  transverse  nerves,  more  distinct  in  fig.  3,  in 
which  3  4  5  represent  the  three  thoracic  ganglia  ;  aa,  central  nervous  fillet ;  bbbl,  nerves 
furnished  by  the  fillet ;  ecee,  nervous  threads  separating  from  the  preceding  nerves,  and 
which,  by  uniting  when  they  reach  the  ganglion,  constitute  the  central  thread. 

Fig.  3.  Nervous  system  of  Sphinx  ligustri  thirty  days  after  its  change,  showing  a  greater  condensation 
of  the  nervous  masses  :  the  posterior  thoracic  ganglia  are  now  united  into  one  mass. 


28  EXPLANATION  OF  ANATOMICAL  PLATES. 

VI.  GENERATIVE  APPARATUS — PLATE  E. 

Fig.  8.  Generative  organs  of  Athalia  centifolia  :  aa,  ovarial  tubes ;  cc,  uterine  cavities  ;  d,  separate 

oviducts  ;  e,  ejaeulatory  oviduct ;  /,  spermatlieca  ;  g,  poison  gland  ;  h,  its  vessel ;  10, 11, 

terminal  ganglia. 
Fig.  7.  Generative  organs  oi  Ranatra  linearis  :  the  letters  correspond  to  the  same  parts  as  in  fig.  8 ; 

g,  supposed  swimming  bladder,  with  part  of  the  intestine. 
Fig.  5.  Male  organs  of  Athalia  centifolia  :  aa,  smaller  testes  ;  hh,  ducts ;  c,  larger  testis  ;  dd,  vasa 

deferentia;  e,  vesicula  seminales ;  /t,  ejaeulatory  duct ;  f,  exterior  valves. 
Fig.  9.  Hydrus  piceus  ;  aa,  testes  ;  bb,  vasa  deferentia  ;  cc,  principal  seminal  vessels  ;    eeee,  various 

accessory  vessels  ;  f,  ejaeulatory  duct ;  g,  copulative  armature  of  the  vagina. 
Fig.  4.  Testicles  of  Silpha  obscura,  greatly  magnified. 


CHAPTER    III. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  CLASSIFICATION  OF  INSECTS. 

The  multiplication  of  species  renders  it  necessary  to  resort  to  some  kind  of  arrangement, 
Ijy  which  they  may  be  gathered  into  groups  under  one  or  more  common  characteristics. 
It  matters  not  which  of  the  kingdoms  of  nature  we  enter,  if  the  individuals  are  dispersed 
singly  or  unarranged  into  families  or  groups,  no  one  can  hope  to  possess  himself  of  an  idea 
of  their  relations.  Memory  would  be  too  much  bui-thened  in  the  attempt  to  comprehend 
the  relations,  or  retain  the  characteristics  of  the  species  which  belong  to  a  single  district 
of  the  globe.  Hence  the  necessity  for  devising  some  scheme  by  which  we  may  group  to- 
gether those  which  are  alike,  and  to  which  we  may  apply  a  positive  expression  indicative 
of  that  likeness. 

There  is  perhaps  nothing  easier  than  to  say  on  what  general  principle  such  a  scheme 
should  be  based ;  for  it  is  plain  enough  that  resemblance  must  be  the  basis  of  all  schemes, 
and  indeed  ever  has  been  since  attempts  at  classification  have  been  made.  Classification  is 
founded  on  resemblance ;  and  yet  there  are  so  many  points  of  resemblance,  that  it  becomes 
necessary  to  make  a  choice.  It  is  evident  that  the  resemblances  in  the  mineral  kingdom 
are  not  those  of  the  vegetable  or  animal,  and  those  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  are  yet  in- 
applicable to  the  animal.  This,  however,  is  not  the  difficulty  :  taking  each  kingdom  by 
itself,  and  selecting  from  among  its  individual  members  certain  characters  which  belong 
to  the  many,  they  fail  us  in  attempting  to  make  a  general  aiDplication  of  them  ;  they  either 
cease  to  exist,  or  else  possess  an  importance  so  variable  or  inconsiderable  that  they  become 
uncertain  as  marks  suitable  to  be  employed  in  classification. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  resemblances  in  the  natural  world  :  there  are  morphological 
and  teleological  resemblances.  In  the  first  we  seek  for  external  forms ;  in  the  second,  we 
look  for  ends.  The  wings  of  a  bird,  of  a  bat,  ancj  of  an  insect,  possess  a  teleological  re- 
semblance, but  not  a  morphological  one  :  the  end,  or  final  cause,  is  the  same ;  but  tlie 
form,  arising  from  structure,  is  quite  different.  It  can  be  scarcely  possible  that  final  causes 
or  teleological  resemblances  should  be  available  in  classification,  although  they  may  be 
useful  in  many  other  respects  ;  and  we  may  remark  here  that  it  is  only  by  an  attentive 
study  of  morphology  that  a  true  basis  for  classification  can  be  found,  and  all  the  schemes 
that  have  been  successfully  applied  belong  to  this  kind.  Availing  ourselves  of  the  principles 


30 


ON   THE    CLASSIFICATION    OF    INSECTS. 


found  in  forms,  we  may  proceed  with  a  degree  of  certainty  ;  and  when  forms  are  correctly 
defined,  we  may  escape  most  of  the  graver  errors  in  the  formation  of  grovips. 

I  do  not  in'opose  to  enter  into  the  details  of  the  principles  of  classification  in  this  place, 
but  shall  proceed  at  once  to  the  modes  which  have  been  proposed  and  followed  by  the 
principal  English  entomologists. 

The  first  classification  is  that  of  Stephens,  in  which  the  first  grand  division  of  the  insect 
kingdom  is  into  two  subclasses  : 


FIRST  SUBCLASS  :  MANDIBULATA. 
Order  1.  Strepsiptera. 

2.  Orthoptera. 

3.  Neuroptera. 

4.  Dermaptera. 

5.  Trichoptera. 

6.  Hymenoptera. 


SECOND  SUBCLASS : HAUSTELLATA. 
Order  1.  Hemiptera. 
2.  Homoptera. 
8.  Lepidoptera. 

4.  Diptera. 

5.  HoMALOPTERA. 

6.  Aphanipteha. 

7.  Apteea. 


Insects  are  classed  by  Westwood  in  the  following  manner 


FIRST  SUBCLASS  :  DACNOSTOMATA. 

(  Mouth  with  jaw3.) 

Order  1.  Hymenoptera. 

?  Osculant  Order  Strepsiptera. 
Order  2.  Coleoptera. 

Osculant  Order  Euplexoptera. 
Order  3.  Orthoptera. 

1  Strepsiptera? 
Order  4,  Neuroptera. 


SECOND  SUBCLASS : ANTHOSTOMATA. 
(  Mouth  with  a  sucker.) 

Order  1.  Diptera. 

Osculant  Order  Homaloptera. 

Osculant  Order  Aphaniptera. 
Order  2.  Heteroptera  (including  tLe  water- 
bugs). 
Order  3.  Homoptera. 


Order  5.  Trichoptera  (  Phryganea  alone).  Order  4.  Lepidoptera. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA. 

The  Coleoptera  is  the  ordei-  wliicli  has  usually  been  first  described,  and  Westwood  has 
followed  the  common  practice  in  this  respect  in  his  Genera  of  British  Insects.  This  order 
is  thus  characterized  : 

Anterior  wings  horny  or  leathery,  concealing  the  posterior  when  at  rest,  placed  parallel  and 
joined  by  a  straight  suture.  Posterior  or  inferior  wings  membranous,  longitudinally  and  transverse- 
ly folded.  Mouth  furnished  with  transverse  jaws.  Pupa  incomplete. 

The  insects  of  this  order  are  denominated  beetles  :  they  constitute  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  class,  and  occupy  the  foremost  rank  among  the  tribes.  They  are  grouped  as  follows  by 
Mr.  M'Leav  : 

1.  GEODEPHAGA  :  containing  those  beetles  which  have  setaceous  antennae,  with  the 

outer  processes  of  the  maxillae  palpiform. 

2.  HYDRADEPHAGA. 

In  the  first  division  the  following  families  are  included,  being  the  old  genus  Carabu8 
subdivided  into 

CiCINDELIDJE. 

Carabid.e. 
Hakpalid^. 

ScARITID^. 
BRACmNID^. 

Gyrinidje.  • 

Dyticid.1;. 


GEODEPHAGA : 


HYDRADEPHAGA 


The  above  is  regarded  as  a  normal  group,  and  is  followed  by  an  aberrant  one,  character- 
ized by  clavate  antennae,  or  such  as  become  gradually  thickened  towards  the  apex,  and  the 
external  lobe  of  the  maxilla  losing  its  palpiform  character.  This  constitutes  the  Rypophaga 
of  Stephens. 


ifei 


32  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

(  HETEBOCERIDiE? 

I  Paknid^. 

PHILHYDEIDA  :  \  Helophorid^. 

Hydeophilid^. 

SpHJERIDIIDiE? 

(  ScAPHIDIID^. 

I  SlLPHID^. 

NECROPHAGA  :  {  Nitidulid^. 

I  Ekgwje. 

[^         Dermestid^. 

Staphylinid;e. 
Stenid^. 
Omalid^. 
Pselaphid^e. 

TACHYPOEIDiE. 


BRACHELYTRA 


Westwood,  liowever,  in  his  work  on  the  British  genera,  adopts,  in  preference  to  the 
foregoing,  the  tarsal  system,  and  hence  recognizes  the  following  subdivision  : 

1.  Pentamera  :  tarsi  with  five  joints  ; 

2.  Heteromera  :  the  four  anterior  tarsi  5-jolnted,  and  the  two  posterior  4-jointed  ; 

3.  Pseudotetramera  :  tarsi  5-jointcd,  the  fourth  exceedingly  minute  ; 

4.  PsEUDOTRiMERA  :  tarsi  4-jointed,  the  third  joint  very  diminutive  and  concealed. 


Cicindelid^e. 

The  family  of  beetles,  which  are  known  under  this  name,  are  among  the  most  heautlftil  of 
the  insect  tribes  :  their  colors  are  brilliant,  and  their  markings  add  to  the  beauty  and 
elegance  of  the  colors  by  contrast.  In  size  they  occupy  a  middle  ground  :  the  largest 
scarcely  exceed  an  inch  in  length,  and  the  smallest  are  at  least  one-third  of  an  inch  long. 
Their  habits  are  as  interesting  as  their  colors  are  beautiful  :  their  watchfulness  is  untiring  ; 
and  though  their  flight  is  short,  it  is  difficult  to  capture  them.  In  the  nature  of  their  in- 
stincts they  agree  with  the  carnivora  among  the  vertebrate  class  of  animals  :  they  are 
flesh-eaters  ;  but  in  order  that  they  may  capture  and  secure  the  living  insect  as  their  prey, 
they  are  ciualified  to  give  chase  either  on  the  wing  or  on  foot,  and  tlrey  make  war  upon  all 
insects  tliat  are  not  too  strong  for  them.  The  cicindelidse  hunt  upon  sandy  and  arid  plains, 
and  seem  to  delight  in  the  heating  rays  of  the  sun  ;  for  in  hot  days  they  appear  far  more 
numerous,  flying  and  alighting  upon  the  ground  before  us  in  dry  paths,  and  turning  tlieir 
heads  watchfully  towards  its  when  they  rest  for  a  moment. 


FAMILY    CICINDELIDiE.  33 

As  the  cicindelse  subsist  solely  upon  other  insects,  or,  in  other  words,  are  carnivorous, 
they  cannot  be  regarded  as  injurious  to  the  farmer  :  they  are  rather  beneficial  than  de- 
trimental to  his  interests.  Their  markings,  together  with  their  predacious  habits,  have 
given  them  the  name  of  tiger  beetles.  It  is  evident,  from  the  prominence  and  size  of  their 
eyes,  that  they  are  well  provided  with  one  essential  power  to  enable  them  to  pursue  suc- 
cessfully the  means  of  subsistence,  namely,  keenness  of  vision.  So  too  their  jaws  or  man- 
dibles are  powerful  :  their  legs,  however,  are  long  and  slender,  and  are  adapted  rather  for 
quick  movements  than  for  the  performance  of  feats  of  strength. 

The  lai'vse  of  the  cicindelse  are  no  less  predacious  than  the  perfect  auunal.  They  are 
represented  by  West  wood  and  others  as  having  a  large  head  armed  with  powerful  jaws, 
and  capable  of  burrowing  in  the  earth  to  the  depth  of  a  foot.  At  the  mouth  of  this  burrow 
they  lie  in  wait  iijr  their  prey,  which  they  seize  and  drag  to  the  bottom  to  devour  at  their 
leisure.  To  aid  in  ascending  and  descending  these  burrows,  they  are  provided  with  two 
hooks  on  the  back  :  some  observers,  however,  suppose  these  hooks  may  assist  in  holding 
their  prey,  when  bent  in  a  suitable  manner ;  for,  on  entering  the  mouth  of  the  burrow  with 
their  prey,  they  suddenly  slide  to  the  bottom. 

These  insects,  then,  in  all  their  stages,  are  predacious ;  and  inasmuch  as  their  numbers 
are  less  than  those  of  many  allied  families,  and  their  instincts  are  such  as  require  a  higher 
development  of  locomotive  apparatus,  they  may  well  be  regarded  as  occupying  the  highest 
rank  in  the  articulated  class. 

The  CiciNDELiD.a:  are  in  general  easily  distinguished  :  their  colors  are  usually  green  or 
gray  combined  with  a  brassy  or  bronzed  tint,  with  whitish  spots  for  ornament  in  combina- 
tion with  brindle  spots  or  angulated  lines,  which  give  them  all  a  pleasing  and  indeed  an 
elegant  appearance.  From  their  powers  of  ilight,  the  cicindelse  have  sometimes  received 
the  name  of  Eupterinea. 

The  family  Cicindelid^e  has  been  divided  by  Mr.  Harris  into  the  following  groups  : 

1.  Lalirum  with  three  teeth  ;  thorax  contracted  behind. 

2.  Labrum  1-toothed  ;  thorax  quadrangular,  flattened  above  and  dilated  behind. 

3.  Labrum  one  toothed  ;  thorax  nearly  cylindrical. 

1.  Labrum  provided  with  three  teeth;  thorax  contracted  behind. 
CICINDELA. 

The  genus  Cicindela,  as  defined  by  Westwood,  is  described  as  follows  :  The  males  have 
their  anterior  tarsi  elongated  and  dilated.  The  elytra  are  oblong-ovate  and  depressed. 
Thorax  subquadrate.  Internal  maxillary  palpi  with  joints  nearly  equal  in  length  ;  the  two 
basal  joints  of  the  labial  palpi  short,  the  third  is  elongate  and  ciliate,  and  the  foui-th 
clavate  and  naked.  Antennae  are  inserted  into  the  anterior  margin  of  the  eyes.  The  head 

[  AORICULTUKAL    RePORT VoL.   V.]  5 


34  ORDER    COLEOPTEBA. 

is  broader  than  the  thorax,  and  the  forehead  is  excavated  :  the  eyes  are  large  and  promi- 
nent ;  elytra  flat ;  wings  two. 

The  larvte  of  the  cicindelis  have  nearly  the  same  habits  as  the  perfect  insect  :  they 
construct  their  habitations  in  the  ground,  penetrating  it  to  the  depth  of  eighteen  inches, 
which  labor  is  performed  by  means  of  their  mandibles  and  legs.  The  hooks  upon  their 
backs  aid  them  efficiently  in  ascending  and  descending  their  burrows  :  by  means  of  these 
hooks  or  appendages,  they  suspend  themselves  at  the  mouths  of  their  holes,  and  await  for 
their  prey. 

The  larvae  are  long,  cylindric,  soft,  whitish  grubs,  and  furnished  with  six  feet.  The  head 
and  first  joint  of  the  Ijody  are  described  as  metallic  green  above  and  brown  beneath.  The 
head  is  quite  large,  armed  with  two  long,  sharp,  and  nearly  vertical  mandibles.  Upon  the 
back  there  are  fleshy  tubercles  clothed  with  hairs  :  each  of  these  tubercles  is  armed  with 
a  recurved  horny  spine.  (See  Plate  xvii,  figs.  9,  10,  11  :  copied  from  Ratzberg,  Forst. 
Insecten.') 

CiciNDELA  VULGARIS.  (  Plate  xvii,  fig.  10.) 

Labrum  and  base  of  the  mandibles  yellowish  white.  Elytra  marked  with  three  oblique 
lines,  yellowish  white  and  angulated  :  these  lines  are  in  the  Ibrm  of  lunules ;  the 
one  past  the  middle  is  double. 
Length  of  the  male  ft)  of  the  female  |i  of  an  inch. 

Say  in  the  Transactions  of  tlie  American  Philosopliical  Society,  New  Series.  I,  409;  PI.  xiii,  fig.  1. 

This  species  appears  early  in  the  spring,  continuing  until  about  the  first  of  June  :  It 
reappears  in  August,  and  continues  two  months,  and  perhaps  longer  if  the  weather  is 
favorable. 

CiciNDELA  GENEROSA.  (  Plate  xvii,  fig.  2.) 

Color  obscurely  cup'.  eons  above.  Elytra  bright  purplish  or  subviolaceous  ;  lateral  margin 
entire ;  humeral  and  terminal  lunule  broad  and  white  ;  intermediate  band  bent  at  a 
right  angle,  and  occupying  nearly  the  centre  of  the  elytron  :  at  its  extremity  it  is 
widened,  and  extends  nearly  to  the  sutm-e. 
Length  varying  but  little  from  |  of  an  inch. 
Head  is  varied  with  cupreous  and  violet  :  the  front  is  supplied  with  prostrate  ashy  hair. 
Labrum  white  ;  anterior  edge  furnished  with  three  teeth.  Antenna?,  or  their  anterior 
margins,  cupreous.  Mandibles  with  about  |  of  the  anterior  and  lateral  portions  white, 
the  rest  black. 
Trunk  cupreous,  varied  with  violet ;  sides  hairy ;  thorax  quadrate,  and  somewhat  nar- 
rowed behind.  Elytra  bright  subviolaceous,  deeply  punctured  with  green.  Feet  and 
thighs  bright  green,  above  brassy.  Abdomen  greenish  blue,  hairy  ;  tail  purplish. 


FAMILY    CICINDELIDjE.  35 

This  species,  like  the  vulgaris,  has  two  broods  in  the  year ;  the  first  appearing  in  jNIay, 
the  second  in  August.  It  lives  in  sandy  districts,  frequenting  the  sea-beaches,  and  is  one 
of  our  largest  species. 

CiCINDELA    REPANDIS. 

The  markings  of  the  repandis  resemble  those  of  the  vulgaris  :  the  cream  or  yellowish 
white  of  the  labrum  extends  to  half  of  the  mandibles,  and  the  insert  is  smaller ;  the 
lunules  are  wider  and  more  dilated,  the  middle  one  extending  to  near  the  suture  behind. 

CiCINDELA    PURPUREA. 

PiU'ple.  Head,  thorax  and  elytra  bordered  with  green  combined  with  steel-blue  and  bril- 
liant green.  Thorax  margined  with  brilliant  piu'ple  ;  legs  purple.  Lunule  upon  the 
elytra  obsolete.  There  is  a  cream-colored  dot  upon  the  outer  angle  of  the  shoulder,  an 
obsolete  lunule  behind  the  middle,  a  spot  upon  the  outer  and  posterior  angle,  and  a 
bar  upon  the  margin  inside  of  the  green  edge. 
Length  half  of  an  inch. 

Sat,  Trans.  Am.  Phil.  Society,  New  series,  II,  5.1;  PI.  xiii,  fig.  8. 
CiCINDELA   PATRUELA  (Dj-)- 

Bottle-green  above,  steel-blue  and  green  beneath.  Outer  angle  of  the  elytra  marked  with 
two  ovoidal  spots,  nearly  united  by  narrow  and  pointed  elongations  ;  middle  marked 
transversely  by  an  oblique  bar,  posterior  by  a  large  round  dot,  and  margin  by  a  line 
inside  of  the  purple  edge.  The  lunules  may  be  described  as  broken. 
It  is  rather  more  than  half  an  inch  in  length,  and  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  inch  wide. 
Head  is  bright  green  with  bluish,  naked,  and  finely  granulated;  labrum  dingy  white; 
teeth  three,  with  six  marginal  punctures.  Mandibles  have  a  white  spot  at  base  :  the 
four  basal  joints  of  the  antennae  green  ;  terminal  one  rufous. 
Thorax  convex,  nan-owed  behind,  granulated.  Beneath  bluish  green ;  legs  green ;  tro- 
chanters purple. 
It  has  a  wide  range,  according  to  Gould  ;  being  found  in  North-Carolina,  and  in  Ver- 
mont as  far  north  as  Burlington. 

CiCINDELA    GUTTATA.. 

Brilliant  steel-blue  and  green.  Labrum  light  bufi"  rather  than  cream-color.  Outer  edge  or 
surface  of  the  mandible  buff;  middle  and  outer  angle  of  the  elytra  dotted  :  posterior 
margin  has  a  short  transverse  bar  inside  of  the  green  edge. 
Length  rather  less  than  half  an  inch,  and  \  in  width. 

Sat  io  Trans.  Am.  Pliil.  Society,  New  series,  PI.  siii,  fig.  4. 


!&' 


36  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

CiciNDELA  ALBiLABRis  (WMie-Hpped  Cicvukla). 
Labrum  white,  obsoletely  tridentate,   rather  prominent  in  the  middle.   Elytra  broadly 
punctured,  with  three  marginal  spots  and  a  broken  discoidal  band,  all  white. 

KiRBY  :  figured  on  Plate  I  in  Richardson's  N.  A.  Fauna. 

Body  underneath  green,  or  golden  green  clouded  with  blue  ;  above,  black  with  a  purplish 
tint.  Labrum  white,  prominent,  armed  in  the  middle  with  three  short  teeth,  the  lateral 
ones  obtuse  ;  above,  with  an  intermediate  obtuse  longitudinal  ridge.  Elytra,  under  a 
powerful  magnifier,  covered  with  innumerable  minute  granules,  and  also  with  nu- 
merous shallow  impressions  :  a  series  of  larger  ones  is  parallel  with  the  suture  ;  the 
angular  white  discoidal  band  reaches  neither  tlie  suture,  nor  the  lateral  margin. 
There  are  also  three  marginal  white  dots,  one  humeral,  another  between  it  and  the 
band,  and  one  between  the  latter  and  the  apex. 
Length  of  the  body,  6-6^  inches. 

KiRBY  remarks,  that  though  this  species  is  common  in  this  country,  it  is  not  noticed  by 
Say,  who  perhaps  mistook  it  for  C.  sylvatica  (Linn.),  "of  which  it  may  be  regarded  as  the 
American  representative,  and  with  which  it  agrees  in  its  prominent  upper  lip  and  the 
shallow  impressions  and  markings  of  its  elytra,  as  well  as  in  its  general  color ;  but  it  is 
smaller,  has  a  white  instead  of  a  black  upper  lip,  with  an  obtuse  longitudinal  ridge  and 
not  an  acute  one,  terminating  in  three  almost  obtuse  short  teeth  instead  of  a  longer  one, 
and  likewise  by  the  want  of  the  silky  lustre  produced  by  granulations  much  more  visible." 


3.  Labrum  xmth  one  tooth;  thorax  nearly  cylindrical^  sometimes  elongated. 

CiCINDELA    HIRTICOLLIS. 

Insect  purplish  gray  above  and  brilliant  green  beneath.  Outer  anterior  angle  of  the  elytra 
marked  with  cream-colored  spots  :  there  is  another  just  behind  the  middle  lunule, 
followed  by  another  near  the  inner  margin  ;  posterior  and  outer  margin  marked  by  a 
lunule.  The  lunules  and  spots  less  conspicuous  than  in  the  vulgaris  or  repandis. 
Length  rather  less  than  half  an  inch  ;  female,  half  an  inch. 

CiCINDELA    ALBOHIRTA.  (  Plate  XVll,    fig.  1.) 

Insect,  head  and  thorax  brassy  green  ;  hairs  erect  and  white  ;  sides  brilliant  and  cupreous. 
Elytra  subviolaceous.  Lunules  and  margin  white,  with  the  intermediate  recurved  band. 

GrOULD  :  Cicindelae  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History,  Vol.  i,  p.  49;  pi.  iii,  fig.  1. 

'  The  head  is  cupreous  varied  with  blue  and  green,  and  densely  covered  with  long  hoary 
'  hairs  except  behind  the  eyes  ;  labrum  white ;  marginal  punctur-es  ten ;  mandible 


'^■- 


FAMILY    CICINDELID^.  37 

<  long  and  dark  green  ;  tips  and  teeth  black,  with  a  white  spot  at  base ;  palpi  yel- 
'  lowish  white ;  terminal  joints  green.  Trunk  brilliant  cupreous  at  the  sides.  Thorax 
'  quadrate,  brassy  green,  hairy.  Elytra  densely  punctured.' 

GorLD,  Trans.  Bost.  Nat.  Hist.  Society. 
Abdomen  greenish  blue ;  tail  purple. 

According  to  Gould,  it  is  closely  allied  to  the  hirticollis,  with  which  it  has  been  con- 
founded. 

CiCINDELA    PUNCTULATA. 

Color  obscure  cupreous.  Elytra  purplish  green  and  blue  ;  beneath  varied  with  blue  and 
purple.  An  angular  cream-colored  line  runs  along  the  outer  and  posterior  margin  of 
the  elytra  ;  the  anterior  and  outer  angle  marked  with  cream-color. 
According  to  Gould,  it  has  but  a  single  brood  in  a  season,  which  appears  about  the 
middle  of  July  and  remains  till  September. 
Common  in  dry  places,  paths  in  fields,  etc. 

CiCINDELA  DUODEciMGUTTATA  ( Dejeaii).  (Plate  xvii,  fig.  3.) 

Insect  bronze  above.  Elytra  with  a  narrow  interrupted  lunule,  with  spots  near  the  suture 
replacing  the  termination  of  the  lunule.  Head  pale  and  obscurely  bronze  ;  front  pu- 
bescent with  cinereous  hairs ;  labrum  white ;  mandibles  dark  green,  with  a  white 
spot  at  base  ;  palpi  dark  green.  Trunk  quadrate  and  rather  short ;  feet  green  ;  thighs 
cupreous.  Beneath  metallic  greenish  or  blue  ;  sides  of  the  thorax  and  breast  cupreous. 
It  is  a  common  species,  and  appears  early- 

GocLD  in  Trans.  Bost.  Nat.  Hist.  Society,  PI.  iii,  fig.  3. 

CiCINDELA    H^EMORRHOIDALIS  (  HcUtz).  (Plate  XVii,   fig.  5.) 

Hentz,  Trans.  Am.  Phil.  Society,  New  series.  III,  254;  pi.  ii,  fig.  2. 

Haeris,  New-England  Farmer,  VII,  91. 

C.  hentzii,  Dejean,  Spec,  des  Coleopteres,  V.  1. 

Color  bluish  black  above,  or  obscurely  cupreous.  Small  humeral  lunule  entire ;  posterior 
one  subentirej  intermediate  one  sinuate  and  angular,  white.  Marginal  dot  white. 
Abdomen  ferruginous. 
Length  variable,  not  exceeding  half  an  inch  :  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  species. 

Head  cupreous,  with  two  lines  between  the  eyes  ;  eyes  large  and  prominent,  brown,  with 
fine  striae  around  them  ;  basal  joints  of  the  antennae  bronzed  green,  the  others  obscure 
brown  ;  labrum  dingy  white,  somewhat  rounded  before,  with  six  marginal  punctures 
bearing  hairs  ;  mandibles  short,  dark  green  ;  second  joint  of  labials  whitish.  Thorax 
quadrate,  as  long  as  broad,  obscure  cupreous ;  marginal  impressed  lines  greenish  bine ; 


38  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

sides  hairy.  Elytra  bluish  black  or  obscure  cupreous  ;  humeral  lunule  nearly  inter- 
rupted in  the  middle,  and  dilated  at  the  extremities ;  intermediate  band  composed 
of  two  imperfect  semicircles,  or  two  crescents  united  at  their  tips  ;  legs  long,  bluish 
green ;  trochanters  purple.  Head  and  thorax  metallic  blue  beneath ;  breast  green ; 

sides  hairy.  Godld,  Trans.  Nat.  Hist.  Soc.  Boston,  p.  52-3. 

Discovered  by  Dr.  T.  W.  Harris  on  the  summit  of  Blue  hill  in  Milton  (Massachusetts), 
occupying  the  naked  rock  and  the  patches  of  mosses  growing  thereon.  Its  name  is  derived 
from  the  fact,  that  in  flying,  its  abdomen  appears  like  a  drop  of  blood  suspended  to  its 
tail. 

APPENDIX  TO  CICINBELA. 

CiciNDELA  cAMPESTRts  (Linn.).  (Plate  xvii,  fig.  6.) 

Above  dull  green,  sometimes  richly  resplendent  with  coppery  and  golden  reflections. 
Elytra  very  finely  shagreened,  green,  with  from  three  to  six  pale  spots  on  each,  dis- 
posed one  externally  on  the  shoulder,  three  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  elytra,  one  on  the 
tip  and  one  in  the  disk.  Beneath  green,  with  rich  coppery  red  hues ;  legs  bright  copper 
glossed  with  green,  especially  on  the  tarsi ;  labrum  whitish. 

Stephens,  p.  tl,  illustrations,  etc. 

This  is  a  common  European  species,  introduced  here  for  the  purpose  of  compaiison  with 
ours. 


CaraMdae. 

The  insects  embraced  in  this  natural  family,  or  group,  possess  several  characters  in  com- 
mon, by  which  they  are  distinguished  from  the  cicindelidse,  and  from  those  which  are  to 
follow.  The  distinguishing  characters,  as  given  by  systematic  writers,  are  as  follows  : 

'  Anterior  tibise  without  emargination  on  the  inner  side.  Head  narrower  than  the  thorax  ; 
'  eyes  rather  prominent ;  palpi  with  the  terminal  joints  often  compressed,  large,  and 
'  somewhat  triangular  in  shape  ;  mandibles  simple,  moderately  long  and  rather  thick.' 

This  family  is  divided  by  Westwood  into  five  sub-families,  each  embracing  several  allied 
genera.  With  the  intention  of  giving  these  sub-families  a  natural  arrangement,  Westwood 
places  first  upon  the  list  the  Brachinides,  which  stand  near  the  head  of  the  Geodephaga  ; 
and  ends  with  the  Bemhidiides,  the  sub-aquatics,  or  the  sub-family  which  links  the  Geo- 
dephaga with  the  Hydrodephaga.  The  order,  then,  in,  which  the  several  sub-families  stand 
to  each  other,  is  as  follows  : 


» 


* 


FAMILY    CARABID^-  39 

I.  Anterior  tibia  imtched  on  the  inside. 

1.  Brachinides  :  Bombardiers.     Elytra  truncated  behind.  Tarsi  of  the  males  seldom  dilated  at 

the  base. 

2.  ScARiTiDEs  :  Burrotvers.     Elytra  rounded  at  the  extremity.  Abdomen  pedunculated. 

3.  Harpalides  ;  Blackdocks.     Elytra  rounded  behind.  Abdomen  sessile. 

II.  Anterior  tibia  without  a  tiotch  near  the  tip. 

4.  Cakabides  :  Dischargers. 

5.  Bembidiides  :  Subaquaiics.     This  sub-family  is  distinguished  from  the  four  preceding  by  its 

palpi  being  terminated  by  a  minute  conical  joint,  while  the  same  organ  in  the  former  is 
terminated  by  a  joint  equally  large  with  the  others. 

The  habits  of  these  sub-families  differ  from  each  other  in  many  respects.  The  most 
important  fact,  however,  which  should  be  stated  respecting  the  numerous  species  belonging 
to  this  family,  is  that  they  are  friendly  to  tlie  farmer.  Many  of  them  live  upon  refuse  mat- 
ter :  some  devour  those  insects  that  are  injurious  to  the  farmer  :  hence  they  should  not 
be  destroyed  ;  and  not  only  soj  but  it  seems  even  possible  to  employ  some  species  of  them 
for  the  very  purpose  of  extirpating  injurious  insects.  To  exhibit  the  mode  in  which  this 
may  be  accomplished,  I  copy  the  following  communication  from  Prof.  Haldeman,  which 
he  had  translated  from  the  fifth  volume  of  the  Revue  Zoologique.  The  facts  and  remarks 
are  quite  important,  and  should  be  generally  known,  and  therefore  no  apology  is  required 
for  introducing  them  in  this  place. 

'  "  There  is,"  says  M.  Boisgiraiid,  "  a  numerous  family,  composed  of  carnivorous  species, 
most  of  them  robust  and  very  voracious,  which  may  be  multiplied  with  impunity,  and 
without  fear,  in  our  gardens.  They  do  not,  indeed,  feed  upon  plants,  which  they  are  called 
to  protect  :  on  the  contrary,  they  and  their  larvse  make  great  havoc  of  the  herbivorous 
insects,  and  at  the  same  time  of  the  limaces  and  helices,"  or  land-snails,  with  and  without 
shells ;  which,  in  Europe,  are  destructive  to  vegetation,  but  cannot  be  considered  in  the 
light  of  noxious  animals  in  America.  Nevertheless  we  are  occasionally  put  in  possession  of 
the  means  to  destroy  them,  taken  from  English  horticultural  works ;  just  as  we  are  told 
how  to  protect  ourselves  from  insects  which  are  not  found  upon  our  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
This  is  principally  owing  to  the  fa«t  that  the  same  vulgar  name  is  applied  to  distinct  objects 
in  Eui-ope  and  America. 

'  The  insects  alluded  to  are  the  carabidse.  "  Well,  who  would  believe  it,"  continues  the 
author,  "  the  greater  part  of  the  cultivators  crush  these  powerful  auxiliaries  with  a  kind 
of  avidity ;  whilst  the  butterfly,  which  is  to  give  birth  to  numerous  caterpillars,  which 
afterwards  devour  their  plants,  is  the  object  of  their  admiration,  and  frequently  even  of 
their  protection.  A  multitude  of  noxious  insects,  after  having  for  several  years  committed 
ravages  upon  our  property,  disappeared  suddenly,  without  our  being  made  acquainted  with 


40  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

the  cause.  In  looking  more  closely  into  these  matters,  one  might  be  assured,  that  in  most 
cases,  an  enemy  of  the  insect  which  has  disappeared,  has  produced  the  happy  result.  I  can 
furnish  some  proofs  in  support  of  this  opinion. 

'  "  The  thick  foliage  of  a  fine  avenue  of  poplars  was  all  at  once  attacked  by  an  immense 
quantity  of  the  caterpillars  of  Bombyx  dispar.  I  thought  of  giving  them  the  Calosoma 
sycophanta  for  company ;  as,  like  them,  it  passes  its  life  upon  the  trees,  feeding  upon  the 
caterpillars  which  it  meets,  and  even  deposits  its  eggs  in  their  nest,  that  its  voracious 
progeny  may  procure  nourishment  more  easily  and  in  greater  abundance.  Well !  this  insect 
multiplied  itself  with  a  rapidity  truly  astonishing ;  and  the  caterpillars  disappeared,  with- 
out those  who  were  witnesses  to  the  destruction  having  the  least  idea  of  the  causes  which 
produced  it."  The  author  then  gives  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  neighborhood  of  the  city  of 
Toulouse  is  so  little  ravaged  by  the  Melolontha  vulgaris,  which  is  so  destructive  in  other 
parts  of  France,  because  the  Carabus  auratus  is  very  common  in  the  fields,  meadows  and 
gardens.  It  is  known,  he  remarks,  that  the  Carahus  auratus  seizes  and  devours  the  Melo- 
lontha i^revious  to  the  deposition  of  its  eggs  ;  and  that  it  is  more  fond  of  these,  than  of  an}- 
part  of  the  insect. 

'  "  One  would  be  much  deceived,"  he  continues,  "  in  believing  that  it  is  always  easy  to 
make  an  advantageous  use  of  this  means  of  destruction,  a  profound  study  of  the  manners  of 
insects  being  often  indispensable  to  arrive  at  the  end  proposed."  Here  is  an  example  :  "The 
most  robust  of  our  caxabi,  the  Procrustes  coriaceus  (LiNNEus),had  served  me  admirably  in 
the  centre  of  France  to  destroy  the  little  insects  which  attack  the  plants  in  gardens  :  here 
(in  the  south)  this  insect  does  not  destroy  the  same  species;  and  although  very  common,  it 
is  unknown,  or  hardly  every  met  with.  The  reason  is,  that  in  the  centre,  the  west,  and 
probably  the  north  of  Fi'ance,  this  procrustes  is  diurnal,  requiring  only  cool  and  shady 
places  :  with  us  (in  the  south,  under  a  warmer  climate)  it  is,  on  the  contrary,  essentially 
nocturnal,  and  therefore  destroys  only  such  insects  as  are,  like  itself,  nocturnal,  or  which 
remain  within  its  reach  during  the  obscurity  of  night." 

'  "  In  transporting  into  my  garden  twenty  of  the  Carabus  auratus,  I  had  thought  to 
destroy  the  collections  of  Forficula  (no  destructive  species  found  in  America)  which  had 
chosen  it  for  the  theatre  of  their  ravages."  To  his  great  astonishment,  the  carabi,  which 
will  actually  destroy  the  forficula,  were  either  found  starved  to  death,  or  left  the  place ; 
and  the  latter  continued  their  devastations !  The  reason  given  is,  that  the  forficula  are 
essentially  nocturnal,  and,  during  the  day,  keep  themselves  hidden  in  crevices  into  which 
the  carabi  cannot  follow  them  :  these  latter,  too,  are  only  active  during  the  middle  of  the 
day,  and  in  the  heat  of  the  sun.  But  the  resources  of  our  persevering  entomologist  were 
not  yet  exhausted ;  his  next  expedient  being  to  introduce  a  smaller  carnivorous  insect 
common  in  France,  the  Staphylimis  olens,  which,  he  remarks,  "  filled  all  the  necessary 
conditions  for  the  desti'uction  of  the  Jorficulay 


-^ 


FAMILY    CAKABID.E.  41 

'  "  You  see,  theu,  gentlemen,"  says  M.  Boisgiraud,  in  conclusion,  "  that  it  is  indispen- 
sable to  study  the  manners  and  habits  of  destructive  insects,  that  their  instinct  and  address 
may  be  successfully  employed  for  the  destruction  of  the  species  able  to  do  us  injurj%  Then 
in  place  of  barbarously  crushing  the  useful  species  which  have  the  misfortune  to  be  not 
always  ornamented  with  the  rich  colors  of  the  butterfly  or  the  huprestis,  we  will  endeavor 
to  protect  them  and  propagate  their  race.  Wc  will  find  auxiliaries  in  them  the  more 
valuable,  as  they  increase  with  our  adversaries,  and  as  they  alone  are  able  to  rival  the 
cunnino;  of  these  insjenious  enemies."  ' 


Brachinides. 

The  sub-family  Brachinides  may  be  known  by  the  shortness  of  the  wing-covers,  which 
are  not  sufficiently  prolonged  to  cover  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen.  In  addition  to  this 
character,  the  head  and  thorax  are  narrower  than  the  abdomen.  The  labium  is  often  oval 
or  square,  and  is  occasionally  furnished  with  two  small  lateral  linear  lobes.  The  penulti- 
mate joint  of  the  tarsi  is  bilobed  in  many  of  the  small  species  :  the  anterior  tarsi  of  the 
males  are,  very  rarely,  dilated  at  the  base.  Some  species  are  destitute  of  wings  (West- 
wood). 

The  most  curious  fact  connected  with  the  natural  history  of  this  sub-family  is  the 
means  by  which  they  defend  themselves  against  the  attack  of  an  enemy.  "When  pursued, 
they  suddenly  discharge  from  behind  a  highly  volatile  and  elastic  fluid,  possessing  con- 
siderable pungency  :  this  sudden  discharge,  Avhich  is  accompanied  with  an  explosion, 
both  irritates  and  confuses  the  pursuer,  so  that  the  intended  victim  has  opportunity  to 
escape.  From  this  singular  mode  of  defence,  these  insects  have  received  the  name  of 
bombardiers.  The  fluid  discharged  is  caustic,  and  stain  -  the  skin  yellowish  brown.  They 
live  under  stones,  logs  or  boards  in  fields.  Several  individuals  are  often  found  in  the 
spring  together,  as  if  their  hal)its  were  of  a  social  nature. 

Genus  BRACHINUS  (Weber). 
•  Body  oval,  convex  ;  thorax  narrow  ;  labrum  transverse  ;  tarsi  simple  ;  palpi  filiform  ; 
'  claws  simple.'  Westwood. 

Brachinus  perplexus  (Dj.).  ^  (Plate  xvii,  fig.  7.) 

Head,  thorax,  abdomen  and  legs  light  brick-red.  Elytra  bluish  black,  faintly  grooved. 

Brachinis  cephalotes  (Dj.).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  4.) 

Head,  thorax,  abdomen  and  legs  liglit  brick-red.  Elytra  blue-green,  or  with  a  reflexion 
of  green  ;  the  metallic  hues  stronger  than  in  the  perp/exus  :  body  also  proportionally 
shorter,  and  more  obtuse  behind.     Length  about  three-tenths  of  an  inch. 

[  ASRICULTURAL    RePORT VoL.  V.]  6 


42  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Brachinus  confokmis.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  5.) 

Head,  thorax  and  legs  brick-red.  Elytra  blue  lustrous,  or  semi  metallic.  Atdcmen  dark 
brown.     Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

Brachinus  fumans.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  6.) 

Head,  thorax,  under  and  anterior  part  of  the  abdomen,  and  legs  brick-red.  Elytra  pur- 
plish. Sides  of  the  abdomen  brown.     Length  about  half  an  inch. 
Found  under  stones,  rails,  etc.  in  June,  July  and  August.  Not  uncommon  in  New- 
England  and  New -York. 


Genus  CIMINDIS  (Latkeille).     Tarus  (Clairville). 
'  Body  depressed  ;    thorax  cordate  truncate  ;   claws  denticulated  ;   tarsi  simple  ;  labial 
'  palpi  of  the  males  with  the  basal  joint  securiform'  (Westwood). 

CiMiNDis  piLosus.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  13.) 

Insect  dark  brown,  pilose  ;  legs  light  brown.  Head  and  thorax  about  two-thirds  the  lengtli 
of  the  abdomen,  which  is  rounded,  and  nearly  covered  by  the  felytra. 


Genus  GALEKITA  (Fab.).     Polystichus  (Bar.). 
'  Body  depressed  ;  head  triangular ;  thorax  subcordate  ;  palpi  long  ;  tarsi  simple ;  raen- 
'  turn  tooth  triangular'  (Westwood). 

Galerita  AMERICANA  (L.).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  12.) 

Head  elongate,  small  and  black  or  brownish  black  ;  thorax  and  legs  bright  red.  Elytra 
blue-black,  submetallic  with  cupreous  reflexions.  Length  from  six-  to  seven-tenths 
of  an  inch. 

Genus  LEBIA  (Latr.). 
'Body  depressed,  broad ;  thorax  transverse,  lobed  behind  ;  penultimate  joints  of  the  tarsi 
'  bilobed'  (Westwood). 

Lebia  atriventris  (Say).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  2.) 

Head,  thorax  and  legs  brick-red  ;  elytra  and  abdomen  glossy  black.  The  lower  and  an- 
terior part  of  the  abdomen  is  of  the  same  color  as  the  thorax,  and  the  upper  surface 
of  the  tarsi  is  black.    Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    CARADID^.  43 

Lebia  smaragdula  (Dj.).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  3.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  brilliant  metallic  blue-green  ;  lower  side  glossy  black.   Length? 

Lebia  viridis  (Say).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  1.) 

Brilliant  green  above,  glossy  black  below  ;  legs  black.  Length  from  three-  to  four-tenths 
of  an  inch. 
L.  smaragdula  and  viridis  scarcely  differ  either  in  color  or  size. 


Scai'itides. 

The  most  remarkable  peculiarity  in  this  sub-family  is  the  wide  space  l^etweeu  the  thorax 
and  abdomen,  by  which  the  latter  appears  pedunculated  :  the  |)osterior  angles  of  the 
former  are  also  so  rounded,  that  its  form  is  lunate.  The  antennae  are  short,  moniliform 
and  the  first  joint  is  the  longest ;  the  head  is  large  ;  the  tibise  of  the  anterior  legs  are 
broad  and  dentated,  having  the  appearance  of  being  palmated.  The  mandibles  are  large 
and  powerful,  and  armed  with  liroad  teeth  ;  labrum  short,  entire  or  dentate,  sometimes 
trilobate  ;  mcntum  tri dentate,  with  the  middle  tooth  strong  ;  labial  palpi  two-  and  four- 
jointed. 

The  scaritides  ai;e  carnivorous,  and  in  this  respect  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  the  allied 
suljfamilies  :  some  living  in  the  ground,  upon  other  insects  or  their  larvae ;  and  some 
frequenting  the  seacoast,  burrowing  in  the  sand,  and  living  upon  the  dead  carcases  of 
shrimps.  In  this  State,  they  burrow  in  the  ground,  or  live  under  stones.  A  large  species 
is  found  in  decaying  logs  in  North-Carolina,  some  ten  or  fifteen  ))eing  frequently  found 
together  in  one  situation. 

Genus  SCARITES  (Fab.).     Tenebrio  (Linn.). 
'  Oblong,   subdepressed  ;    anteunse  elbowed  ;    mandibles  with  strong  teeth  internally  ; 
'  external  maxillary  palpi  and  terminal  joint  of  the  labia  nearly  cylindric  ;  mentum 
'  trilobate.  Anteuuse  wit]i  the  basal  joint  subconic ;   thorax   broad,   lunate ;  body 
'  depressed  ;  anterior  tibise  strongly  palmated,  the  rest  simple'  (Stepheks). 

Scarites  suBTERRANEus  (Fab.).  ( Plate  xvlll,  fig.  1-1.) 

Color  black  ;  thorax  marked  with  a  fine  central  line.  Thorax  and  head  equal  the  abdomen 

in  length,  the  latter  supported  on  a  short  peduncle.     Length  eight-tenths  of  an  inch. 

The  insect,  in  consequence  of  its  pedunculated  abdomen,  appears  as  if  bisected.  It  is  a 

noctui-nal  feeder,  and  is  found  quite  abundantly  in  Central  New-York.  Its  singular  form 

renders  it  easy  to  be  distinguished. 


44  order  coleoptera. 

Genus  CLIVINA  (Latr.). 
'  Labriim  quadrate,  trausvtTse  ;  mandibles  short,  denticulated  from  the  base  to  the  apex  ; 
'  terminal  joint  of  the  labial  palpi  nearly  cylindric  ;  basal  joint  of  the  antennje  stout, 
'  the  second  long;  Ijody  elongated,  subdepressed ;  thorax  quadrate;  antdior  tiijifc 
'  palmated  externally  and  at  the  tip'  (Stephens). 

Clivina  lineolata  (Say).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  H.) 

Color  light  glossy  brown  ;  thorax  rounded  behind  and  narrowed  before,  marked  by  three 
distinct  lines  ;  elytra  marked  by  distinctly  punctate  lines,  of  which  there  are  about 
five  to  each  elytrum.     Length  two-  to  three-tenths  of  a  line. 
Found  under  stones. 

Genus  DYSCHIRIUS  (Panzer). 
Body  elongated,  subcylindric  at  the  tip ;  thorax  globular  or  globose;  tibige  rarely  pal- 
mated. 

Dyschirius  globulosus  (Say).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  15.) 

Insect  brown,  glossy  ;  thorax  globose,  smooth  ;  elytra  punctated.     Length  scarcely  two- 
tenths  of  a  line. 


Harpalidesi 

The  elytra  of  this  sub-family  cover  the  abdomen  ;  the  extremity  is  rounded  :  they  are 
also  sessile,  and  not  pedunculated.  The  anterior  tibiae  are  deeply  notched  near  their  tips, 
and,  in  the  males,  the  basal  joints  are  dilated.  The  mentum  is  emarginate,  though  it  is 
occasionally  entire  :  the  centre  of  the  emargination  has  generally  a  spine.  The  antennte 
are  filiform  ;  labrum  quadrate,  rarely  bilol^ate,  but  sometimes  emarginate  in  front ;  man- 
dibles generally  with  one  or  more  denticulations  ;  mentum  deeply  emaiginate  anteriorly, 
the  emargination  simple  or  sometimes  toothed ;  body  elongate. 

These  insects  are  not  so  voracious  as  those  of  the  succeeding  famil}',  the  Caraeides. 
The  predominant  colors  are  black,  while  a  few  of  them  are  adorned  with  brilliant  metal- 
lic hues.  Some  are  apterous,  and  run  remarkably  well.  The  larva,  like  the  perfect  insect, 
lives  beneath  stones,  and  feeds  upon  other  insects  or  their  larvte.  They  are  cylindric  and 
elongate,  but  slightly  flattened  or  depressed;  and  they  have  twelve  rings,  which  are  more 
or  less  scaly  :  the  last  ring  is  armed  with  two  small  processes. 

The  sub-family  contains  many  genera,  which,  though  related  to  each  otlur,  are  r,ot 
readily  separable  into  groups.  Stephens  divides  them  into  three  groups,  viz  : 


FAMILY    CARABID-f:.  45 

A.  Mentum  emarginate,  and  without  a  tooth. 

B.  Mentum  emarginate  :  emargination  furnished  with  a  bifid  tooth. 

C.  Jleutuui  emarginate,  and  furnished  with  a  simple  tooth. 


Genus  AGONUM.     Carabus  (Liu.). 

'  Anterior  tarsi  witli  elongated  joints  ;  mentum  tootli  simple  ;  thorax  rounded  '  (  West- 
\vood). 

Agonum  octopunctatum.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  8.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  brilliant  green  above,  and  traversed  through  the  middle  by  a 
bronze  belt ;  greenish  bronze  below.  Elytra  marked  with  four  punctures  each  towards 
their  inner  margins. 

Agonum  cupripenne.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  9.) 

Body  ^nd  thorax  brilliant  green ;  elytra  brilliant  bronze  or  green,  as  the  light  favors  the 
reflexions.  Elytra  faintly  lined,  and  punctured  upon  the  marginal  line. 


Genus  HARPALUS  (Latr.). 
'  Palpi,  external  maxillary  and  labial  with  the  terminal  joint  fusiform  and  truncate,  and 
'  of  equal  length  with  the  preceding,  which  is  clavate  ;  labrum  subquadrate,  slightly 
'  emarginate ;  mandibles  short ;  mentum  deeply  notched,  with  an  obtuse  simple 
'  lobe  in  the  centre  ;  antennae  with  two  basal  joints,  naked ;  thorax  transverse,  sub- 
<  quadrate.  Anterior  and  intermediate  tarsi  of  the  males  with  three  dilated  joints' 
(Stephens). 

Harpalus  pleuriticus  (Raf).  (Plate  xix,  fig.  16.) 

Chestnut -brown;  sides,  both  of  the  elytra  and  thorax,  nearly  straight,  obtuse  behind. 
Length  half  an  inch.  The  thorax  is  smooth,  and  without  punctures  upon  the  angles, 
and  the  male  is  darker  than  the  female. 

Harpalus  bicolor.  (Plate  xix,  fig.  15.) 

Color  dark  chestnut-brown.  Sides  rather  curved,  and  posterior  angles  of  the  abdomen  and 
elytra  rounded.     Length  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 
The  thorax  is  marked  by  a  central  line,  which  extends  to  the  posterior  margin  :  pos- 
teriorly it  is  indented  by  two  impressions,  and  sculptured  like  the  faumis. 

Harpalus  faunuS  (Say).  (Plate  xix,  fig.  14.) 

Color  reddish  brown,  nearly  uniform.  The  thorax  is  longer  than  in  the  pleitriticus,  and 


46  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

the  bases  of  the  elytra  touch  the  sternum.  The  head  is  smaller  than  in  the  preceding 
species.     Length  five-tenths  of  an  inch. 
The  head  is  without  punctures,  except  on  the  posterior  and  lateral  angles,  and  the 
thoracic  line  does  not  extend  to  either  margin.     Color  beneath  of  a  light  fawn. 

Harpalus  eeraticus.  (  Plate  xix,  fig.  13.) 

Color  light  brown  or  rufous,  narrow,  elongate  ;  thorax  wider  in  front  than  posteriorly  ; 

elytra  slightly  truncate,  exposing  the  point  of  the  abdomen.     Length  six-tenths  of 

an  inch. 

The  male  is  furnished  with  strong  mandil^les,  and,  in  both  sexes,  the  brown  elytra  are 

darker  than  the  glossy  head  and  thorax. 

Genus  PANGUS  (Zeicl.).     Harpalus  (Stephens). 
'  Palpi  with  the  terminal  joint  subcylindric  :  thorax  narrowed  behind  ;  angles  rounded ; 
'  antennae  rather  short'  (Westwood). 

Pakgus  caligixosus.  (Plate  X,  fig.  7.) 

Color  black  and  rather  dull,  rather  glossy  beneath  :  the  thorax  has  a  broad  transverse 

elevation.  Elytra  marked  by  about  eight  impunctate  lines  ;  outer  border  obscurely 

punctate  :  legs  furnished  with  rows  of  reddish  spines  and  cilia.   Length  eight-tenths 

of  an  inch. 

Pangus  caliginosus  is  found  sometimes  upon  the  seedl^eariug  tops  of  tall  grass ;  but  it 

is  not  apparent  whether  the  vegetable,  or  an  insect  inhabitant,  was  the  object  of  pursuit. 

This  insect  is  about  an  inch  long,  robust,  broad,  of  a  black  color,  with  a  large  head  and 

quadrate  prothorax  which  is  wider  than  long ;  the  elytra  with  eight  impressed  striae. 


Genus  AMARA  (Bn.). 
'  Oblong  oval,  broad,  subdepressed  ;  head  ovate  ;  thorax  as  broad  as  the  elytra  ;   wings 
'  two  ;  mentum-tooth  bifid  ;  last  joint  of  the  palpi  ovate  ;  labrum  cjuadrate,  slightly 

<  emarginate  ;  mandibles  short,  denticulated  at  base  ;  elj^ra  somewhat  emarginate  at 

<  the  tip.  Anterior  tarsi  of  the  males  with  three  dilated  joints'  (Stephens). 

Amara  impuncticollis  (Say).  (Plate  xix,  fig.  11.) 

Color  black  with  a  strong  purplish  hue,  or  a  cupreous  lustre  nearly  uniform  in  tint.  Length 

about  four-tenths  of  an  inch. 

The  genus  Amara  is  said  to  have  been  observed  in  Eiu-ope  eating  tlie  seeds  of  immature 

grain  ;  but  the  damage  that  insects  of  carnivorous  families  are  likely  to  doj  are  trifling  in 

comparison  to  the  benefits  they  confer. 


FAMILY    CARABID^.  47 

Genus  AGONODERUS  (Dj.). 

Head  subquaclrate ;  thorax  subquadrate,  slightly  narrowed  behind,  elongate  :  the  thorax 
equals  in  width  the  base  of  the  elytra. 

Agonoderus  pallipes.  (Plate  xix,  fig.  5.) 

Head  black  or  very  dark  brown  ;  thorax,  elytra  and  legs  brown  :  middle  of  the  thorax 
darker.  Inner  margins  of  the  elytra  darker  than  the  outer  and  posterior  margins. 


Genus  ANISODACTYLUS  (Dj.).     Harpalus  (Steph.). 
'  First  tarsal  joint  of  the  male  small,  the  fourth  largest ;  mentum-tooth  obsolete  ;  tliorax 
'  subquadrate  or  trapezoid'  (Westwood). 

Anisodactylus  agricollis.  (Plate  xix,  fig.  9.) 

Color  dark  brown  or  black ;  thorax  about  as  wide  as  the  base  of  the  elytra ;  sides  slightly 
curved.     Length  five-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Anisodactylus  rusticus.  (Plate  xix,  fig.  10.) 

Color  brown ;  the  thorax  rather  wider  than  the  base  of  the  elytra.    Length  nearly  half 
an  inch. 

Anisodactylus  baltimorius. 
Head  and  thorax  dark  brown ;  elytra,  legs  and  antennae  much  lighter,  or  light  chestnut- 
color.     Length  rather  less  than  half  an  inch. 


Genus  CHLCENIUS  (Bon.).     Carabus  (Lin.). 
<  Palpi  with  the  last  joint  ovate  truncate ;  mentum-tooth  bifid  :  thorax,  in  the  centre, 
'  truncate  subcordate,  broadest  belilnd  or  subquadrate'  (Westwood). 

Chlcenius  emarginatus.  (Plate  XX,  fig.  6.) 

Head  black,  with  green  submetallic  hues  ;  thorax  bronze,  submetallic ;  elytra  blue-black, 

brilliant :  beneath  black,  punctate,  sculptured,  but  confined  mostly  to  the  thorax  and 

anterior  of  the  abdomen ;  thorax  and  head  above  finely  punctate ;  legs,  palpi  and 

feelers  light  reddish  brown.    Length  half  an  inch. 


^^ 


48  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Chlcenius  nemoralis.  (Plate  XX,  fig.  5.) 

Head  and  thorax  metallic  green  ;  elytra  blue-black,  rather  brilliant ;  legs,  paljd  and  an- 
tennae brown.     Length  half  an  inch. 
This  species  is  i-ather  broader  than  the  foregoing. 

Chl(enius  sericeus.  (Plate  XX,  fig.  7.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  brilliant  green  above,  glossy  black  below,  punctate  ;  legs,  palpi 
and  antennae  brown.     Length  from  six-  to  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Chlcenius  tomentosus.  (Plate  xx,  fig.  2.) 

Head  black,  dark  bronze,  pimctate  ;  elytra  dark,  bronzed  and  faint  greenii^h  hue,  tomen- 

tose. 

Chlcenius  lithophilus.  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  8.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  green,  brilliant  black  beneath  ;  legs,  palpi  and  antennae  l:>rown. 
Length  four- tenths  of  an  inch. 


Genus  TRECHUS  (Clairv.). 
Mentum  transverse,  tridentate  anteriorly;  central  tooth  shortest;  head  ovate;  thorax 
cordate  truncate  ;  angles  mostly  rounded. 

Trechus  ciNCTus.  ( Plate  xix,  fig.  8.) 

Small,  shining  brown ;  head  darker ;  elytra  rather  lighter  on  the  outer  than  the  inner 
margin.     Length  two- tenths  of  an  inch. 

Trechus  conjunctus.  (Plate  xix,  fig.  7.) 

Small,  shining  brown  ;  head  black  or  dark  brown.     Length  rather  more  than  two-tenths 
of  an  inch. 

Genus  CALATHUS  (Bon).     Carabus  (Lin.). 
Tarsal  claws  toothed  ;  palpi  simple  and  rather  long  ;  labial  nearly  filiform,  the  terminal 
joint  truncate  ;  labrum  transverse,  a  little  emargiuate ;  mandibles  denticulated  at  the 
base ;  mentum  with  a  bifid  tooth  in  the  centre  of  the  notcli ;  elytra  elliptic ;  thorax 
subquadrate  or  trapeziform  ;  head  angvilar. 

Calathus  geegarius.  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  IG.) 

Form  ovate ;  antennae  long  filiform  :  head,  thorax  and  elytra  of  a  glossy  l)rown  color ; 
margin  lighter;  legs  brown.     Length  about  four-tenths  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    CARABID^.  49- 

Genus  ANCIIOMENUS  (Bon.).     Carabus  (Fab.). 
'  Mentum-tooth  entire  ;  tliorax  cordate,  posterior  angles  acute  ;  elytra  oblong,  suliconvex ; 
'  head  as  broad  as  the  tliorax  ;  third  joint  of  the  antenna  twice  as  long  as  the  second. 
'  Elytra  rather  sinuate  at  the  apex.  Anterior  tarsi  of  the  males  with  three  dilated 
'joints'  (West.  &  Stepii.*). 

Anchomenus  EXTENSicoLLis  (Steph.).  (Plate  xviii,  fig.  10.) 

Head  and   thorax  green,  subraetallic ;  elytra  purplish  bronze,  suljnietallic ;  legs  light 
brown.     Length  about  four-tenths  of  an  inch. 


Dic(ELus  DiLATATus  (Say).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  13.) 

Insect  large  ;  tliorax  nearly  as  wide  as  the  abdomen.  Head  black,  smooth  ;  thorax  purple, 
indented  before  and  behind.  Elytra  purple,  strongly  marked  by  eight  plain  lines  : 
one  begins  in  the  acute  upper  and  outer  angle,  running  rather  obliquely,  and  joins  the 
fifth  from  the  inner  margin,  the  two  enclosing  one  line  :  outer  line  next  the  margin 
depressed,  and  imperfectly  punctured.     Length  about  eight-tenths  of  an  inch. 

DiccELus  elongatus  (Say).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  9.) 

Insect  narrowed  ;  margin  of  the  thorax  and  el3'tra  nearly  upon  the  same  line,  black  ;  head 
and  thorax  smooth.  Elytra  marlLcd  with  plain  lines  :  line  commencing  at  the  outer 
and  anterior  angle,  rather  oblique,  and  becoming  more  so  a1  the  posterior  extremity, 
where  it  coalesces  with  tlie  other  lines,  and  all  together  terminate  in  the  posterior  and 
inner  angle  ;  the  dotted  line  of  the  margin  obsolete.  Length  about  seven-tenths  of 
an  inch. 


Sph^rodervs  stenostomus  (Dj.).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  10.) 

Insect  dilated   behind,  narrowed   before ;   head  smooth,  shining  black  ;  thorax  smooth, 

brilliant  steel-blue,  punctm-ed  behind.  Elytra  dark  purplish  uiwn  their  disks,  bordered 

by  rich  steel-blue,  punctured  and  lined ;  lines  interrupted  posteriorly.  Glossy  black 

and  punctured  laterally  beneath.     Length  from  five-  to  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 


*  Mr.  Stephens  romavks  that  the  .\kohomenu.s  maybe  distinguished  from  Callistos  by  the  elongate  form  of  the 
thorax,  and  its  not  being  punclate  throughout;  and  from  Platinus,  by  its  acute  simple  notch  in  tha  centre  of  the 
mentura. 

[  Agriculttjual  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  7 


50  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 


Carabidcs 

Constitute  the  fourth  sub-family  of  the  CARABiDiE.  They  are  distinguished  from  the  other 
subfamilies  by  the  absence  of  the  notch,  which,  in  the  allied  species,  is  situated  near  the 
extremity  of  the  anterior  tibiae  :  the  only  approach  made  to  it,  is  by  the  preseuee  of  a 
slight  groove  in  the  place  of  the  notch  at  the  extremity  of  the  tibia.  The  elytra  are  entire, 
and  cover  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen  :  antennae  setaceous ;  labrum  may  be  simple, 
bilobate  or  trilobate ;  mandibles  simple  or  merely  one-toothed,  rarely  tridentate  ;  maxillae 
ciliated  internally,  and  furnished  with  a  claw  at  the  tip  ;  labial  palpi  four-jointed ;  men- 
turn  large,  Inroad,  and  generally  produced  in  the  centre  ;  anterior  tarsi  greatly  dilated  in 
the  males. 

This  subfamily  contains  many  large  showy  insects  :  they  are  mostly  apterous,  and  their 
elytra  are  often  elegantly  marked  with  metallic  spots,  or  set  off  with  splendid  metallic 
hues. 

The  carabides  run  fast,  and  are  very  carnivorous  in  their  habits  :  hence  they  should  be 
preserved,  as  they  are  friendly  to  the  farmer.  Some  of  them  discharge  a  powerful  odor 
when  taken,  which  is  exhaled  from  a  fluid  ejected  from  the  abdomen,  and  remains  a  long 
time. 

The  Genus  Carabus,  the  typical  one  of  the  family,  contains,  according  to  Mr.  West- 
wood,  notwithstanding  the  restrictions  to  which  it  has  been  subjected,  nearly  200  species. 
By  far  the  greater  number  of  these  species  are  confined  to  northern  climes. 


Genus  CYCHRUS  (Fab.).     Tenebrio  (Lin.). 
Head  long  and  narrow  ;  palpi  with  the  last  joint  large  and  spoonshaped  ;  labrum  strongly 
bilobate ;  mandibles  bidentate  at  the  tip ;  antennae  setaceous ;  mentum  quadrate, 
toothless ;  thorax  truncate  ;  wings  none. 

CvcHRus  viDuus  (Dj.).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  14.) 

Insect  large,  dilated  behind  and  narrowed  before  :  head  and  thorax  bluish  pm-ple,  sculp- 
tured on  the  borders.  Elytra  purple,  marked  by  about  fifteen  strong  dotted  lines  each, 
which  are  somewhat  interrupted  behind  and  partially  broken,  giving  them  an  ap- 
proach to  a  zigzag  form  ;  beneath,  purplish,  inclining  to  brown  or  cupreous.  Length 
from  one  to  one  and  a  quarter  inches. 
This  insect  may  be  known  by  its  remarkable  elongation  of  the  head  and  thorax,  and  its 
dilated  elytra  and  abdomen,  the  former  of  which  are  reflected  over  the  latter. 


FAMILY    CARABID^.  51 

Genus  CARABUS. 
Labrum  bilobate  ;  mandibles  furnished  with  a  tooth  in  the  middle  ;  mentum-tooth  entire ; 
thorax  subcordate,  emarginate  behind  ;  palpi  with  the  last  joint  seciu'iform ;  antennse 
linear,  second  joint  shortest,  third  cylindric ;  wings  rudimentary  or  none.  Anterior 
tarsi  of  males  dilated. 

Carabus  vinctus  (Weber);  C.  inferrupfus  (Say).  ( Plate  xxi,  fig.  11.) 

Head  and  thorax  smooth,  blue-black.  Elytra  black,  faintly  bronzed,  and  marked  with 

punctured  lines  :  the  three  interrupted  lines  are  sharply  elevated,  and  the  metallic 

points  are  reflected  from  these  interruptions.  Length  eight-  to  nine-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Carabus  serratus  (Say).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  12.) 

Color  blaclc,  with  blue  and  purplish  hues  which  are  reflected  from  the  margins  of  the 
elj'tra  and  thorax  :  head  and  thorax  jilain  and  glossy  black  ;  margins  of  the  thorax 
elevated  and  punctured.  Elytra  thickly  piuictured  in  about  twelve  rows  :  if  taken  in 
thi-ees,  there  are  three  rows  of  ovoidal  parallel  impressions  without  punctures.  Length 
seven-  to  eight-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Carabus  limbatus  (Say).  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  16.) 

Color  black  :  head  and  thorax  smooth  and  glossy  black.  Elytra  pm-plish  black,, bordered 

with  blue  and  purplish  hues,  and  marked  by  seventeen  or  eighteen  punctured  lines  : 

three  of  these  lines  are  broken  by  stellate  or  cruciform  markings.  Length  nine-tenths 

of  an  inch. 

Genus  C.ALOSOMA  (Web.).  Carabus  (Lin.). 
Labrum  bilobed ;  thorax  transverse,  shorter  than  wide ;  abdomen  subquadrate,  wider 
behind  than  before  ;  wings  large  ;  palpi  with  the  last  joint  ovate,  trimcate ;  labium 
short  broad,  the  upper  margin  setose  acuminated ;  mentiun  sul^linear,  rounded  late- 
rally, unidentate  in  the  middle.  Antennse,  second  joint  shortest ;  third  longest,  com- 
pressed. 

Calosoma  scrutator.  ( Plate  X,  fig.  8.) 

Head  blue-black  :  thorax  Ijlue-black,  surrounded  with  golden  green.  Elytra  green  with 
purplish  reflexion  and  bordered  with  cupreous,  marked  with  punctui-ed  lines  :  the 
ridges  between  are  transversely  marked  with  numerous  lines  ;  each  elytrum  is  also 
ornamented  with  three  rows  of  distant  green  dots,  which  are  not  very  conspicuous. 
The  whole  body  beneath  is  green,  with  steel-blue  reflections  :  legs  steel-l)lue,  and  the 
thighs  are  punctured  with  four  or  five  rows  of  dots  ;  tarsi  and  tibiae  dusky.  Length 
exceeds  an  inch  :  about  li  inches. 


52  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Calosoma  calidum.  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  15.) 

Head  and  thorax  Ijlack,  finely  punctured.  Elytra  ornamented  by  three  rows  of  metallic 
spots  placed  upon  thick  lines,  crossed  by  obscure  punctures.     Length  nine-tcnth.s  of 
an  inch. 
Both  species  of  Calosoma  are  abundant  in  the  United  States;  liolh  feed  upon  other  in- 
sects, and  are  useful  by  diminishing  the  numlier  of  insects  injurious  to  the  farmer.  They 
are  furnished  with  wings,  are  found  upon  trees,  and  feed  upon  the  larva;  of  lepidopterous 
insects  :  their  larvse  also  have  the  habits  of  the  perfect  insect. 

Genus  NOTIOPHILUS  (Dun.).     Elaphuus  (Fabr.). 
Head  as  broad  as  the  thorax ;   eyes  large ;   thorax  quadrate,   flattened  ;  lalirum  large, 
rounded ;  palpi  robust. 

NoTiopHiLus  FORRECTus.  ( Plate  XX,  fig.  lo.) 

Insect. brown,  with  a  uniform  bronze  hue.     Length  from  two  to  three  lines. 

This  insect  is  wider  in  front  than  posteriorly  :  the  great  size  of  the  eyes  makes  the  head 
as  prominent  as  the  thorax. 

Genus  ELAPHRUS  (Fabr.).     Cicindeia  (Lin.). 
'  Antennse  short ;  eyes  very  prominent ;  thorax  convex  ;  labrum  slightly  trilobed  ;  palpi 
'  slender'  (Westwood). 

Elaphrus  auscARius  (Lin.).  (Plate  xx,  fig.  1.) 

Head,  thoiax  and  elytra  bronze  tinted  with  green,  and  singularly  marked  by  dark  round 
spots  encircled  with  green,  which  give  the  insect  a  tuberculate  appearance  ;  beneath 
green  and  metallic. 
The  insect's  body  is  short,  but  it  has  the  general  appearance  of  a  Cicindela. 

Omophron  LABiATUM  (Fab.).  (Plate  XX,  figs.  11,  12.) 

Head  with  a  deeply  notched  patch  of  green  at  the  base,  and  partially  surrounding  the 

eyes  :  thorax  black,  with  green  metallic  hues  bordered  wilh  light  brown.  Elytra 

variegated  with  black-green  metallic  hues,  and  bordered  with  light  brown,  traversed 

with  many  punctate  lines ;  beneath  brown. 

Ya,!c.  tessellatus,  Say  {&§  12).     Obscurely  banded;    the  elytra  traversed  on  their  inner 
margins  with  black  :  the  brown  is  more  conspicuous,  and  occupies  a  larger  portion 
of  the  elytra. 
Length  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    CARABID.E.  53 


B  e  m  b  i  d  i  i  d  c  s< 

The  maxillary  and  labial  palpi  in  this  subfamily  aro  termiuated  by  a  very  minute  joint. 
The  anterior  tibise  are  always  notched  on  their  insides,  near  their  tips.  The  insects  ate 
small,  and  run  with  considerable  speed  :  they  are  adorned  with  metallic  colors.  They 
-live  under  stones  in  damp  places,  or  in  crevices  in  the  ground  ;  and  they  aa-e  carnivorous, 
feeding  upon  the  larvfe  of  other  insects,  and  also  upiiu  ilead  animal  matter. 

Genus  BEMBIDIUM  (Illiger).     Cicindela  (Lin.). 
Thorax  truncate  cordate  ;  elytra  tubercled  ;  eyes  very  prominent. 

Bembidium  sigillare.  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  3.) 

Head,  eyes,  thorax  and  elytra  above  metallic  gray,  bronzed  with  a  faint  purplish  in  some 
lights  ;  beneath,  brilliant  green  :  legs  darker  above.     Length  rather  more  than  one- 
fourth  of  an  inch. 
Sometimes  very  abundant  on  the  kaves  of  water  plants. 

Bembidium  honestum.  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  4.) 

Head  and  elytra  gray  bronze,  duller  than  the  preceding ;  thorax  blue-black  ;  beneath, 
black  with  a  greenish  hue.     Length  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch- 

Bembidium  inequale  ( Say). 
Eyes  very  large ;  head,  thorax  and  abdomen  gray,  metallic  and  bronze,  uniform. 

Bembidium  inornatum,  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  9.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  brown.     Length  about  one-tenth  of  an  inch. 

Bembidium  tripunctatum.  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  10.) 

Head,  thoi'ax  and  elytra  brown ;  metallic  hues  absent.    Length  one-tenth  of  an  inch. 

Bembidium  variegatum.  ( Plate  xx,  fig.  14.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  metallic  green  above,  when  seen  in  some  directions ;  below, 
black  and  brownish  :  legs  brown.  The  elytra  are  variegated  with  paler  patches  of 
brown,  and  they  appear  of  a  glossy  brown  when  seen  by  direct  light.  Length  two- 
tenths  of  an  inch. 


54  ORDER  COLEOPTERA. 


HYDRADEPHAGA. 


The  insects  included  in  this  section  reside  in  water,  and  hence  their  legs  are  transformed 
into  organs  suitable  for  moving  in  this  element.  In  addition  to  the  transformation  of  the 
legs  into  swimming  organs,  tlie  body  undergoes  a  change  of  form,  becoming  oval  or  boat- 
shaped  :  in  fine  they  are  thoroughly  fitted  for  the  element  in  which  they  are  to  move, 
being  endowed  with  the  means  of  pursuing  their  prey,  and  fiu-nished  with  all  the  con- 
veniences which  their  congeners  upon  the  land  possess.  Although  they  subsist  in  water, 
yet  they  are  not  provided  in  their  perfect  state  for  obtaining  a  supi^ly  of  air  from  the 
element  in  which  they  move  :  they  are  air-consumers,  and  are  obliged  to  rise  occasionally 
to  the  surface  to  obtain  a  supply  of  air  for  respiration. 

The  H  VDRADEPHAGA  are  predacious  beetles ;  and  although  it  is  not  important  to  the 
farmer  to  know  them  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  still  some  of  the  larger  kinds  prey 
upon  the  ova  of  fish,  and  even  upon  their  young;  and  in  this  respect,  they  are  not  entirely 
destitute  of  interest  to  the  owners  of  fish-ponds.  Regarded  as  animals  which  live  by  the 
chase,  they  are  truly  more  greedy  and  gluttonous  than  the  predacious  land  beetles  :  they 
are  pre-eminently  voracious  and  destructive.  Their  larvae,  of  course,  are  aquatic ;  and 
they  too  feed  voraciously  upon  other  aquatic  insects.  The  perfect  animal,  though  fitted  for 
the  water,  is  not  confined  to  it  :  it  may  take  wing  at  evening,  and  enter  dwellings,  like 
moths,  being  allured  by  the  dazzling  light  of  lamjis  near  a  window.  They  obtain  air  by 
resting  upon  the  sm-face,  and  raising  their  elytra  :  this  brings  the  air  more  immediately 
into  contact  with  the  spiracles  of  the  insect. 

Stephens  divides  the  Hydradephaga  into  two  families,  viz  : 

,  (  long,  setaceous  :  embracina;  the  DYTtciD.E  ; 

Antenn/e  <       '^  . 

(  short,  elavate  :  embracing  the  Gyrinidje. 

1.  The  Dyticid^  are  furnished  with  rather  long  setaceous  antennse ;  their  bodies  are 
oval,  being  rounded  anteriorly  and  posteriorly  ;  their  thorax  is  short  and  transverse,  and 
their  legs  are  formed  for  swimming  :  the  posterior  ones,  however,  are  especially  adapted 
to  this  end,  by  their  great  length,  and  by  being  furnished  with  two  rows  of  dense  cilia 
arranged  along  the  edges,  with  the  view  of  increasing  the  width  of  the  oar  ;  the  tarsi  are 
also  flat  in  the  males,  and  the  anterior  ones  are  more  dilated  than  in  the  females.  The 
mandibles  of  the  larva  are  much  bent,  and  are  pierced  for  the  purpose  of  extracting  the 
juices  from  the  animals  upon  which  they  subsist.  Their  respiratory  organs  are  situated 
behind,  and  consist  of  two  segments  fringed  with  hairs  and  terminating  in  two  conical 
appendages,  between  which  are  two  cylindric  perforated  tubes  :  these  communicate  with 
the  respiratory  organs.  The  larva,  as  well  as  the  imago,  is  obliged  to  rise  to  the  sm-face  to 
obtain  a  supply  of  air. 


FAMILY    DYTlCIDiE.  55 

2.  The  Gyrinid,^:  are  provided  with  short  clavate  antennae  :  body  oval  and  convex,  as 
in  the  DyxiciDa:,  but  more  glossy.  The  legs  are  unequal  in  this  family  :  the  anterior  ones 
are  long,  and  the  four  posterior  are  short,  compressed,  and  formed  for  swimming.  The 
larvae  differ  also  from  those  of  the  DYxiciDiE,  by  having  on  each  side  of  the  fourth  and 
seven  following  segments  a  membranous  conical  appendage,  which  is  flexible  and  bearded 
at  the  sides  :  these  appendages  are  subordinate  to  the  respiratory  organs,  with  which  they 
communicate  by  a  small  tube. 

Dyticidge, 

Halipides. 

Antennse  ten-jointed  ;  posterior  coxae  dilated  into  a  large  shield,  covering  the  base  of  the 
legs. 

Genus  HALIPLUS  (Clairv.).     Cnemidotus  (111.)- 
Maxillary  palpi  with  the  last  joint  very  minute  and  subulate. 

Haliplus  12-pukctatus.  (Plate  XX,  fig.  15.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  buff-colored.  Elytra  with  twelve  black  spots,  some  of  which  are 
confluent ;  inner  margin  and  anal  extremely  black ;  thorax  with  a  lunate  black  or 
brown  spot  on  its  anterior  margin  ;  eyes  black. 

Haliplus  immaculaticollis-  ^         (Plate  xx,  fig.  16.) 

Insect  buff-color  :  elytra  with  ten  black  spots,  the  central  comparatively  large,  and  com- 
mon to  both  elytra ;  thorax  brown,  immaculate. 

Genus  DYTICUS.     Dytiscus  (Linn.) 

^  Anterior  male  tarsi  patellated ;  claws  didactyle ;  maxillary  palpi  with  the  second  and 
third  joints  equal '  (  Westwood). 

Dyticus  harrisii.  (Plate  V,  fig.  10.) 

Color  black  softened  into  olive ;  front  or  forehead  luteous ;  lateral  margins  of  the  thorax 

luteous  :  upon  the  latter  it  diminishes  posteriorly,  and  extends  to  the  under  side  of 

the  same  ;  beneath,  the  thorax  and  first  pair  of  legs  are  luteous  :  posterior  legs  long, 

and  furnished  with  two  dense  rows  of  brown  cilia.     Length  one  inch. 

This  species  is  rather  common  in  small  ponds  of  water,  where  the  bottom  is  clear  and 

sandy  :  a  locality  where  it  may  always  be  found,  is  at  the  head  springs  which  supply  the 

■city  of  Albany  with  water. 


56  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 


Parnides. 

This  subfamily  is  composed  of  insects  which  frequent  water  :  their  tibi*  are  unarmed 
and  narrow,  and  their  legs  are  formed  for  walking.  They  have  an  oval  body,  more  or  less 
convex,  and  the  posterior  part  of  the  thorax  is  as  wide  as  the  abdomen  or  base  of  the  elytra. 
The  antenna?  are  short ;  mandibles  robust  and  notched  at  the  tip,  with  their  inner  surface 
dilated.  As  they  frequent  the  water,  their  entire  surface,  as  in  Parnus,  is  covered  with 
cilia  to  retain  air ;  or,  as  in  Elmis,  in  part  ciliated,  for  the  same  object.  This  arrangement 
gives  them  oxygen  when  immersed  in  water. 

The  two  genera  Parnus  and  Elmis  are  regarded  as  belonging  to  two  suljfamilies  ;  but 
being  closely  rehited,  it  is  sufficient  for  our  purpose  to  place  them  in  juxtaposition. 

Parnus  fastigiatus.  (Plate  xxiii,  fig.  7.) 

Body  oval  convex ;  head  retracted  :  color  a  drab  brown  ;  thorax  and  elytra  covered  with 
a  coat  of  fine  appressed  hair  ;  legs  reddish  on  their  outer  sides. 

Elmis  crenatisI  ( Plate  xxiii,  fig.  9.) 

Body  convex,  angulated,  punctate,  acute  behind  ;  thorax  and  elytra  marked  with  four 
black  dots,  and  a  faint  reddish  stripe  upon  each  ;  legs  reddish. 

S  i  I  p  h  i  d  e  s. 

The  wide  depressed  or  flat  form  of  body  is  a  reliable  characteristic  of  a  part  of  this  group. 
They  are  always  present  in  putrescent  animal  matter  :  wherever  a  carcase  of  an  animal  is 
decaying,  or  even  a  bone  not  perfectly  bleached,  there  we  find  numbers  of  the  silphides. 
The  Necrophoeus,  however,  is  much  less  depressed  or  flattened  than  the  genus  Silpha, 
and  seems  at  first  sight  to  constitute  a  distinct  group  by  itself.  The  latter  are  sometimes 
called  sexton  bedles,  from  their  habit  of  burying  all  the  small  dead  animals  which  they 
nieet  with.  In  this  labor,  they  exliibit  a  great  amount  of  industry  and  perseverance,  as  well 
as  a  high  grade  of  instinct  in  seemingly  devising  means  to  accomplish  an  end. 

The  anatomical  characters  of  these  beetles,  as  given  by  Westwood  and  others,  are  : 
Antennse  thickened  at  the  tips ;  palpi  filiform  and  slender ;  labrum  transverse  and 
emarginate  ;  maxllliBlMlobed,  the  inner  armed  with  a  hook  ;  mandibles  strong  and  exsert, 
especially  in  Necrophoris  ;  thorax  orbicular  or  semicircular,  forming  a  kind  of  shield  for 
the  head  ;  tarsi  five-jointed,  the  fourlh  nearly  equalling  the  others. 

Genus  NECROPHORUS  (Fab.,  Leach,  Oliv.). 
'  Body  oblong  ;  elytra  truncate  ;  club  of  the  antennae  large,  round,  four-jointed,  perfoliate ; 
'  raaxillie  unarmed  *  (Westwood). 


■^ 


FAMILY    DYTICID.E.  57 

Necrophorus  americanus  (01,).  (Plate  xxii,  fig.  8.) 

Head,  thorax  and  elytra  black,  shining ;  forehead  marked  with  a  cordate  yellowish  brown 
spot ;  thorax  brown,  except  a  black  dentate  border  :  elytra  marked  with  four  ir- 
regular yellowish  brown  spots,  the  anterior  prolonged  upon  the  anterior  margin  j 
margin  grooved,  and  of  the  same  color  as  the  spots  :  club  of  the  antennas  yellowish 
brown,  black  beneath  :  anterior  tai-si  ciliute  ;  cilia  yellowish  brown. 
This  large  conspicuous  beetle  presents  certain  variations  of  color  and  marking,  which 
indicate  a  difference  either  in  sex  or  species.  The  yellowish  brown  spots  described  above 
are  much  darker  in  some  individuals,  while  the  forehead  mark  is  roundetl  behind,  square 
in  front,  and  behind  and  between  the  eyes  there  is  a  rufous  spot  which  does  not  exist  in 
all.  The  thorax  is  curiously  indented  upon  its  border.     Length  1  \  inch. 

Necrophorus  tomentosus  ( Wb.).  ( Plate  x,  fig.  2.) 

Black  :  elytra  crossed  by  two  rufous  bands,  black  beneath  ;  thorax  and  sides  pilose  ;  club 
of  the  antennse  black.     Length  about  three-fourths  of  an  inch. 
This  species  is  quite  hairy,  especially  upon  the  thoracic  plate  :  hairs  greenish. 
Common  in  July  in  New-England  and  New- York. 

Necropuorus  pygmeus  (Rich.).  (Plate  xxii,  fig.  5.) 

Black  :  elytra  marked  with  four  angular  bright  rc^l  .spots.  Length  rather  more  than  half 
an  inch. 
The  Necrophaga  perform  the  part  of  scavengers  in  destroying  and  burying  carrion,  JV. 
tomentosus  takes  its  trivial  name  from  the  yellow  hair  upon  the  prothorax.  The  family 
Dermistidje  is  also  destructive  to  animal  matter  :  they  deposit  their  eggs  in  it ;  and  when 
they  are  hatched,  they  feed  upon  it ;  but  the  dermestes  attack  and  devour  any  animal 
food,  whether  in  a  state  of  decay  or  not.  It  is  supposed  that  the  perfect  animal,  however, 
prefers  flowers  to  meat,  though  we  always  find  it  busy  in  the  latter. 

Genus  SILPHA  (  Linn,). 
'  Broadly  oval,  slightly  convex  ;  antennae  gradually  thickened,  club  four-jointed  ;  thorax 
'  often  truncate  anteriorly'  (  Westwood). 

Sii-piiA  cAUDATA  (Say),  (  Plate  xxii,  figs.  3,  7  ) 

Black.  Elytra  subquadrate,  papillated  ;  papillae  in  about  four  rows,  placed  between  sharp 
ridges  ;  inner  and  posterior  angle  slightly  prolonged  ;  outer  angle  rounded  :  thorax 
tomentose.     Length  half  an  inch. 

SiLPHA  iNEQUALis,  ( Plate  xxu,  fig.  6.) 

Insect  depressed,  black  :  elytra  finely  punctured,  and  traversed  by  three  or  four  sharp 
slightly  raised  ridges.     Length  half  an  inch. 
[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  8 


58  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

SiLPHA  NovEBORACENsis.  (  Plate  xxii,  fig.  9.) 

Body  depressed  :  elytra  rufous  ;  outer  margin  of  the  thorax  light  and  rather  bright  red. 
black  beneath. 

SiLPHA    AMERICANA.  (  Plate  XX,    fig.  3.) 

Depressed,  black  :  thorax  yellow,  with  a  snbquadrangular  black  spot  in  the  centre  ;  elytra' 
knobby,  black  or  lirownish  black  tipped  with  yellowish  ;  outer  angles  truncate,  or 
rounded  from  the  middle,  and  slightly  notched  at  their  inner  and  posterior  angles, 
forming  a  notch  when  at  rest  :  they  are  marked  by  four  rather  irregular  ridges. 


Genus  NECRODES  (  Wilkin).     Silpha  (  Linn.). 
'  Body  oblong ;   elytra  truncate ;   club  of  the  antennse  gradually  thickened  ;   maxillff- 
'  without  a  claw'  (Westwood). 

Necrodes  surinamensis.  (  Plate  XX,  fig.  4.) 

Depressed,  black  :  thorax  smooth  and  shining ;  elytra  marked  posteriorly  with  a  short 
rufous  band,  and  traversed  by  three  strongly  marked  sharp  ridges,  black  beneath. 


Nitidulidse. 

This  family  has  the  habits  in  part  of  the  silphidse,  as  some  of  them  are  found  in  putrid 
animal  matter,  or  feeding  upon  mushrooms  ;  others,  however,  frequent  flowers.  They  are 
oval,  broad,  and  much  depressed  ;  and  they  have  filiform  antennae,  terminating  in  a  short 
club  of  two  or  three  joints.  The  thorax  is  transverse  and  emarginate  :  in  some,  the  elytra 
are  short,  leaving  the  abdomen  exposed.  They  are  small  insects. 

Genus  NITIDULA. 
'  Body  oval,  subdepressed ;  thorax  margined ;  tibia  compressed ;  fourth  tarsal  joint  bi- 
'  lobed  ;  third  joint  of  antenna  longer  than  the  fourth  '  (  Westwood). 

NiTiDULA  BiPusTcLATA.  (  Plate  xviii,  fig.  1.) 

Color  of  the  body  and  thorax  dull  brown  :  central  part  of  the  elytra  marked  by  a  patch 
of  lighter  brown  ;  margin  light  brown .    Length  about  two-tenths  of  an  inch . 


FAMILY    ENGID^.  59 


Engida\ 


The  insects  of  this  family  are  allied  to  the  NiTioiLiDiE  and  DekmestidjE  :  from  the  former, 
they  differ  by  their  elongate  form  and  simple  tarsi ;  and  from  the  latter,  by  their  highly 
polished  bodies,  and  more  developed  form  of  tlieir  mandibles  (  Westwood). 

The  Engid^  subsist  upon  wood  in  a  state  of  decay,  or  upun  fungi,  in  some  species  of 
which  many  individuals  may  be  found.  I  procured  a  large  number  of  individuals  belonging 
to  this  family,  in  the  gelatinous  sap  which  was  slowly  oozing  from  a  wound  in  the  trunk 
of  a  yellow  birch  :  they  are  also  found  under  the  bark  of  trees,  and  never  feed  upon  living 
or  dead  animal  matters. 

The  anatomical  characters,  as  given  for  the  Engid.!!  proper,  are  :  Antennte  short,  cla- 
vate,  ten-  or  eleven-jointed  ;  maxillary  palpi  equalling  the  lobes  of  the  maxillae ;  labium 
advanced  in  front  of  the  mentum  ;  labrum  transverse  ;  mandibles  bifid  at  the  tip  ;  tarsi 
in  some  four-jointed,  in  others  five. 

Genus  ENGIS  (Latr.). 
'  Body  long  ovate,  subcouvex  ;  tarsi  five-jointed,  the  fourth  joint  short ;  maxillae  bilobed ; 
'  club  of  the  antennffi  short,  broad ,  flattened,  three-jointed '  (  Westwood). 

Engis  fasciata.  ( Plate  xxiii,  fig.  2.) 

Thorax  black  :  elytra  brick-red,  traversed  by  a  broad  black  belt ;  posterior  extremity 
black ;  inner  angles  of  the  elytra  black,  terminating  in  a  partial  crossbar.  The  pro- 
portion of  black  and  red  upon  the  elytra  is  nearly  equal. 
These  insects  inhabit  fungi,  or  decaying  wood  under  the  bark  of  trees  :  they  are  not, 
however,  specially  injurious  to  trees. 

Genus  IPS  (  Herbst). 

The  body  is  oblong  and  subdepressed ;  tibia  broad  and  serrated  ;  tarsi  five-jointed  ;  lobe 
of  the  maxilla  broad. 

Ips  fasciatus.  (  Plate  xxiii,  fig.  4.) 
Body  oblong,  subdepressed  ;  thorax  and  head  black  ;  elytra  black,  with  two  yellow  an- 
gular spots  upon  each  ;  legs  short ;  tibia  broad,  subserrated  ;  tarsi  pilose.     Length 
two-tenths  of  an  inch. 

'  Ips  sanguinolexta.  ( Plate  xxiii,  fig.  3.) 

Head  and  thorax  black  :  elytra  yellow,  with  a  single  round  black  spot  near  the  middle  ; 
terminal  extremity  black  ;  outer  and  anterior  angles  black.  Insect  shining. 


60  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Ips  quadrisignata.  ( Plate  xxiii,  fig.  6.) 

Head  and  thorax  black  :  elytra  black,  with  two  yellow  spots  on  each  elytrum,  shining  ; 
the  posterior  spot  is  somewhat  oval ;  upper  and  outer  angles  black. 

Ips  bipustulatus.  (Plate  xxiii,  fig.  8.) 

Color  brown,  dull  :  elytra  marked  with  two  large  yellow  dots.     Length  about  two  and  a 
half  lines. 

Cacujidcs. 

Genus  CUCUJUS.     Colydium  (Herbst). 
Antennfe  short,  mouiliform  or  clavate  ;  basal  joint  short. 

CUcujus  CLAviPEs.  (  Plate  xxii,  fig.  2.) 

Depressed,  flat  or  compressed  :  color  uniform,  inclining  to  brick-red ;  abdomen  below 
dark,  and  nearly  black  upon  the  margins.     Length  about  half  an  inch. 

Dermestes  lardarius.  (Plate  xxii,  fig.  5.) 

Body  oval,  subconvex,  black,  with  a  gray  bar  passing  across  the  anterior  part  of  the  elytra, 
in  which  are  three  dots  on  each  elytrum. 

The  genus  Dermestes  is  named  from  derma,  a  skin,  with  which  the  larvae  make  great 
ravages,  eating  the  surface  so  as  to  cause  the  hair  to  fall  off.  The  Dermestes  lardarius  com- 
mits its  depredations  in  houses,  usually  in  furs,  meat,  pork,  bacon  (whence  it  is  sometimes 
called  baco7i  bug),  collections  of  insects,  etc.  when  stored  away  without  protection.  It  is 
about  one-fourth  of  an  inch  long,  nearly  black ;  the  base  of  the  elytra  ash-color,  with 
three  small  black  spots. 

Tliis  species  is  active  in  attacking  all  animal  collections  of  natural  history  :  from  this 
depredator,  they  are  best  protected  by  arsenic.  Articles  of  domestic  consumption  should 
be  preserved  by  preventative  measures,  such  as  enclosing  hams  in  canvass  and  white- 
washing them. 

The  Dermestes  vulpinus  is  distinguished  from  the  lardarius,  by  having  the  elytra  entirely 
black,  and  the  under  sides  and  under  parts  covered  with  white  scales.  It  is  very  destruc- 
tive to  hides,  in  which  it  is  imported.  In  France,  it  has  been  observed  to  perforate  walls 
built  of  stone  soft  enough  to  be  broken  by  the  nail.  It  is  found  in  America,  Europe  and 
Asia. 

There  are  several  other  insects  which  are  destructive  to  skins,  and  to  anatomical  and 
natural  history  collections  :  one  of  them  is  the  Anthrenus  museorum  [Byrr.  museorum, 
Linn.).  It  is  not  a  native  of  this  country  :  it  is,  however,  replaced  by  the  A.  destructor, 


FAMILY    STAPH YLINID.*:.  61 

Melsh.,  which  is  a  short  oval  insect  about  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  length,  of  a  fuscous  color, 
and  marked  by  several  waved  whitish  fascise.  The  larva  of  another  small  and  much  nar- 
rower insect,  Dermophagus  tarsale  of  Melsheimer,  is  also  very  destructive  to  entomological 
collections. 


Stapliyliiiida?. 


The  characteristics  of  the  insects  belonging  to  this  family  are,  their  long,  narrow,  and 
depressed  f  jrm ;  the  shortness  of  their  elytra,  and  hence  the  great  exposure  of  the  ab- 
dominal segments.  Their  true  wings  are  closely  folded  beneath  the  curtailed  elytra,  al- 
though they  arc  largo  when  expanded.  Their  heads  too  are  remnrkably  large ;  and  when 
set  out  by  their  projecting  mandibles,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  persuade  oneself  that  it  is 
safe  to  catcji  them.  Their  antennse  are  not  very  conspicuous,  but  are  sometimes  enlarged 
towards  the  extremity.  Tlie  thoi'ax  is  strong,  and  as  wide  as  the  first  segment  of  the  ab- 
domen. From  the  shortness  of  the  wing-covers,  the  abdomen  is  equally  hard  above  as 
beneath,  and  is  not  confined  by  them  :  it  therefore  admits  of  free  motion,  and  is  employed 
as  an  instrument  to  assist  in  folding  and  unfolding  the  wings.  When  the  insect  is  captured, 
a  curious  organ  protrudes  from  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen,  consisting  of  two  vesicles, 
which  are  extruded  at  the  will  of  the  insect,  and  from  which  it  is  not  uncommon  to  jier- 
ceive  that  a  jieculiar  vapor  escapes  that  is  by  no  means  pleasant. 

Westwood  regards  this  family  equal  in  rank  to  the  CARABiDiE,  and  susceptible  of  sub- 
divisions of  the  same  value  :  the  name  Bbachyelytra  has  been  generally  employed  in 
denoting  it. 

Genus  STAPH YLINUS  (Linn.). 

'  Body  nearly  glabrous  ;  aiiteunre  subfiliform,  with  the  fourth  and  tenth  joints  subequal ; 
'thorax  subquadrate'  (Westwood). 

Staphylinis  villosus. 
Head  and  thorax  black  and  glossy  :  back,  sides,  and  abdomen  beneath  villose,  or  covered 
with  a  dense  coat  of  hair ;  abdomen  banded  with  gieenish  buff.     Length  six-tenths 
of  an  inch. 

Staphylinus  cyanipennis.  ( Plate  xxxi,  fig.  G.) 

Head  and  thorax  black  and  glossy  ;  elytra  steel-blue  ;  abdomen  hairy  and  black. 

Staphylinus  chrysurvs.  (  Plate  xxxi,  fig.  3.) 

Above  an  olive  brown,  clothed  witli  short  jellow  hair  ;  sides  and  extremity  of  the  abdo- 
men golden  yellow ;  thighs  black,  except  at  their  tips,  and  a  dorsal  line. 


CHAPTKR    V. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  (  Continued). 


PENTAMERA. 

Distinguished  entomologists  have  made  two  grand  divisions  of  the  pentamerous  insects. 
Some  of  the  families  of  the  first  division  have  been  noticed  :  the  second  is  equally  im- 
portant with  the  first,  and  admits  of  subdivision  into  natural  groups  or  families  ;  but  there 
is  some  diversity  of  opinion  where  the  lines  bounding  these  families  shall  be  djawn,  and 
also  respecting  the  best  terms  for  designating  them. 

A  plain  and  comprehensive  subdivision  into  groups  has  been  made  by  Stephens  :  1, 
the  Clavicornes,  which  are  characterized  by  the  antennae  terminating  in  a  solid  ball,  or 
a  perforated  one ;  2,  the  Lamellicornes,  with  the  antennse  terminating  in  a  leafy  or 
lamellated  mass  ;  and,  3,  the  Serricornes,  having  the  antennse  constructed  so  that  their 
whole  length  is  toothed  somewhat  like  a  saw.  The  Clavicornes  are  divided  into  two 
families  :  the  first  contains  those  insects  which  resemble  the  Linnean  Genus  Byrbhus, 
having  straight  claviform  antennse,  and  called  the  FamiLy  Byrrhid.*:,  Leach.  T*be  second 
family  have  also  claviform  antennse,  but  each  with  a  distinct  elbow  or  angle. 

The  Byrrhid^  are  small  beetles  with  short  oval  convex  bodies,  and  generally  pilose  or 
hairy  :  the  elytra  cover  the  body,  and  the  legs  can  be  folded  ujj ;  when  alarmed,  it  folds 
them  together  under  its  body,  and  then  remains  motionless,  appearing  like  a  seed,  until 
the  danger  is  past.  In  this  Ibmily  tlie  antennse  become  gradually  clavate,  and  the  club  is 
not  solid. 

The  second  family  of  clavicornes  takes  its  name  from  the  Genus  Hister  :  hence  the 
family  name  HisTERiDiE,  Leach.  In  these,  the  antennse,  instead  of  being  straight,  have  a 
sudden  or  short  angle  in  them,  or  are  said  to  be  elbowed.  They  are  small  insects,  hard  and 
shining  or  highly  polished,  and  usually  black  :  their  forms  are  somewhat  square,  but  still 
possess  considerable  convexity  ;  their  legs  are  more  or  less  dentate,  and  the  two  hind  ones 
are  set  widely  apart ;  the  elytra  are  short,  and  hence  leave  a  portion  of  the  abdomen 
exposed.  Their  elbowed  antennse,  their  polished  surface  and  short  elytra,  clearly  distin- 
guish them  from  the  byrrhidse. 


'U 


GROUP    LAMELUCORNES.  63 

The  Lamellicornks  received  their  name  from  the  structui'e  of  their  aulennae ;  the 
extremity  being  a  laminated  knob,  composed  of  three  or  more  leaflike  lamina?,  which  open 
and  shut  somewhat  like  the  leaves  of  a  book.  The  first  division  of  this  group  consists  of 
the  ScAKABiDEs,  the  first  section  of  which  are  named  Copi-ophagi,  from  the  kind  of  food  on 
which  tliey  subsist  :  they  feed  upon  and  live  in  ordure,  or  excrements  of  all  kinds.  The 
ancients  gave  the  name  pilhdaria  to  certain  species  which  have  the  curious  instinct  of 
rolling  the  excrement  into  lialls  with  their  hind  feet,  and  in  which  tliey  have  deposited 
their  eggs  :  when  the  ball  has  ac(j[uired  a  sufiicient  degree  of  solidity,  it  is  pushed  into  a 
hole  previously  prepared  for  its  reception. 

A  foreign  species,  the  Jitcuchus  sacer,  was  an  object  of  religious  veneration  and  worship 
among  the  ancient  Egyptians.  With  them  it  was  symbolical  of  the  world,  the  sun,  and  the 
warrior  :  of  the  world,  frum  the  globular  shape  of  its  balls,  and  perhaps  also  from  the 
progeny  they  contained  ;  of  the  sun,  from  the  angular  projections  from  its  head  in  the 
form  of  rays  :  the  six  legs  have  five  tarsi  each,  and  hence  they  rejiresented  the  days  of 
the  month.  The  idea  of  the  courageous  warrior  was  imbibed  from  the  supposition  that  the 
species  were  all  males.  The  Roman  soldiers  wore  its  image  on  then-  signets  ;  and  it  is  said 
that  it  is  still  a  custom  with  the  Egyptian  women  to  eat  them,  to  render  themselves  pro- 
lific :  as  the  sun  is  the  s.nirce  of  all  fertility,  so  the  eating  of  this  symbol  would  impart 
to  them  the  same  desirable  qualitj".  When  we  reflect  a  moment  upon  the  attention  which 
these  curious  insects  pay  to  their  olfspiing,  and  the  intense  emotion  they  exhibit  in  rolling 
their  balls,  a  work  which  they  prosecute  until  overcome  by  exhaustion,  it  is  not  at  all 
surprising  that  the  ancients  shouM  have  made  them  symbolical  of  the  highest  order  of 
qualities. 

The  Copris  Carolina  cL'Sely  resembles  the  symbolical  beetle  of  the  ancients,  just  referred 
to.  The  Genus  Copris  makes  its  abode  beneath  the  fresh  excrement  of  the  cow  ;  and  hence 
its  hills  of  dirt  are  common  in  pastures,  by  roadsides,  and  other  places  where  the  cow  is 
kept.  This  insect,  however,  never  rolls  a  regular  ball,  but  collects  a  quantity  into  an  ir- 
regularly shaped  mass.  The  true  piUularia  belong  to  the  Genus  Geotrupes,  and  a  few 
other  allied  genera. 

The  larva  of  the  Geotrupes  resembles  that  of  the  Melolontiia,  being  of  a  dirty  Avhite 
color,  soft,  and,  when  not  engaged  in  feeding,  it  lies  coiled  in  a  semicircle  :  they  have 
six  scaly  feet  and  a  scaly  head.  Subsisting  at  first  upon  the  magazine  of  food  which  the 
mother  has  provided  in  the  offal  in  which  they  are  enveloped,  they  afterwards  penetrate 
into  the  earth,  and  feed  upon  roots.  It  requires  a  year  or  two  for  their  perfection  :  they 
are  then  transformed  into  nymphs ;  and  another  year  passes,  before  they  are  ready  to 
become  perfect  insects. 

The  Lamellicornes  consist  of  ten  families,  each  presenting  some  peculiarity  in  the 
anteun;?,  mandibles  or  maxillpe,  liy  due  attention  to  which  the  student  will  be  able  to 
determine  the  position  an  unknown  insect  may  occui:)y.  The  first  of  these  ten  families  is 


64  '*  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

the  LucANiD^,  taking  the  family  name  as  usual  from  one  of  the  most  important  genera  it 
contains  :  in  this  inst<ance  it  is  the  Lucanus  dama,  an  elongated  stout  insect,  and  furnished 
with  strong  and  projecting  mandibles,  especially  in  the  males.  Their  antennse  are  elbowed, 
and  the  terminal  knob  is  constructed  after  the  liishion  of  the  teeth  of  a  comb,or  is  pectinate : 
they  consist  of  only  three  terminal  teeth,  somewhat  separated  from  each  other,  but  near 
enough  to  come  within  the  definition  of  himellicorn  beetles  (See  Plate  xii,  fig.  7,  n,  o). 

The  second  division  of  the  Lamelltcornes  embraces  all  tliose  beetles  whose  antennjc 
terminate  in  leaves  or  lamellffi,  consii>ting  usually  of  three  pieces,  which  fold  together  or 
lie  in  contact  like  the  leaves  of  a  book.  This  division  received  the  name  of  Pf/a/occra  from 
DuMERiL  :  it  contains  many  insects  which  belonged  to  the  genus  Scarabaus  of  Likneis. 
The  antenna;  differ  froin  those  of  the  insects  of  the  Family  Lucanidje,  inasmuch  as  Ihey 
are  not  elbowed  ;  and  the  number  of  joints  is  variable,  eight,  nine  or  ten.  In  some  groups, 
the  males  are  remarkable  for  their  appendages  upon  the  head  or  thorax,  either  in  the  form 
of  horns  or  protuberances.  Some  of  the  largest  insects  belong  to  this  division. 

The  habits  of  the  insects  of  this  division  are  various  :  some,  and  probably  the  majority, 
feed  upon  refuse  matter,  some  upon  excrement,  some  upon  leaves,  and  others  upon  flowers. 
Their  larvse  are  conspicuous  for  their  size  :  they  are  of  a  soft  consistence,  of  a  whitish 
color,  and  furnished  with  strong  mandibles.  We  find  them  in  the  vegetable  mould,  usually 
coiled,  or  in  decaying  logs.  They  have  fourteen  rings,  including  the  head,  and  the  rings  or 
segmerfts  are  transversely  grooved. 

From  the  diversity  of  character  which  exists  in  this  great  division,  it  has  been  subdivided 
into  ten  families.  The  first  is  the  Geotrupid.i:  :  their  maxillary  lobes  are  membranous,  the 
mandibles  are  porrccted,  and  the  elytra  cover  the  abdomen  (Plate  xii,  figs.  1,  2,  3,  5,  8). 
Their  antennte  have  ten  or  eleven  joints  ;  and  their  bodies  are  globose,  or  thick  and  more 
or  less  rounded  and  full.  Their  habits  are  peculiar  :  they  feed  upon  excrement,  though 
some  are  said  to  feed  upon  roots. 

The  ScARABJEiDJK  coustltute  the  second  family  of  this  great  division.  They  are  furnished 
with  a  shieldlike  extension  in  front,  the  clypeus,  which  extends  over  the  mouth  ;  and  their 
antennae  are  eight-  or  nine-jointed,  with  the  end  terminating  in  a  three-leaved  club.  The 
middle  legs  are  inserted  more  widely  apart  than  the  others  :  the  posterior  legs  are  far 
behind  ;  the  scutellum  is  not  present ;  and  the  elytra  are  shortened  behind,  leaving  the 
abdomen  exposed.  The  claws  are  minute,  and  the  anterior  tibise  are  expanded  and  tri- 
dentate  externally,  armed  with  a  single  spur.  The  insects  feed  upon  excrement,  and  the 
greater  proportion  of  the  family  reside  in  warm  climates.  They  are  many  of  them  ball- 
rollers  ;  and  to  aid  them  in  this  work,  their  hindlegs  are  long  and  inserted  far  behind, 
which  gives  them  a  grotesque  appearance  when  walking.  They  ily  mostly  by  day.  ( Plate 
xii,  figs.  5,  7.) 

The  third  family  of  Macleav  is  called  ApiioDnD.?;.  They  too  are  excrement-eaters  :  they 
are  oval  and  rounded  at  the  posterior  extremity.  In  this  family  we  find  the  minule  instead 

■HiT 


GROUP    LAMELLICORNES.       '^  65 

of  the  large  beetles,  and  they  belong  to  temperate  climates  :  tlie  logs  are  placed  at  equal 
distances  apart ;  the  scutellum  is  distinct ;  the  clypeus  is  entire,  and  the  antenna;  are 
nine-jointed.  The  body  is  more  elongated  than  in  the  Ibrmer  family. 

The  fourth  family  is  small,  or  of  a  moderate  extent  :  it  is  the  Trogid.i:  of  Macleav. 
The  insects  are  of  a  medium  size,  ovate  or  gibbous,  and  tlie  elytra  are  inllexed  at  their 
sides.  The  scutellum  is  distinct,  and  the  anterior  tibia;  are  imperfectly  toothed.  The  head 
is  deflexed  ;  tliorax  short,  posteriorly  situated,  and  the  anterior  angles  are  advanced  :  the 
elytra  are  rugose.  (Plate  xxiv,  figs.  1  &  3.) 

The  fifth  family  is  the  Dynastid.e  of  Macleay.  The  insects  of  the  family  are  gigantic, 
and  the  males  are  very  strongly  identified  by  prominences  and  horns  upon  their  heads  or 
thoraces.  The  jaws  are  powerful,  horny  and  prominent,  and  furnished  with  two  teeth  ;  the 
scutellum  is  distinct ;  the  antennjc  are  ton-jointed,  and  the  elytra  are  shortened  behind, 
leaving  the  abdomen  exposed  :  the  color  is  a  rich  chestnut-brown.  The  Insects  reside  in 
rich  vegetable  matter  and  in  putrid  offal,  and  the  family  belongs  to  tropical  regions. 

The  RutilidjE  constitute  the  sixth  family,  which,  for  the  most  part,  are  brilliantly 
colored.  The  males  are  destitute  of  horns,  in  which  respect  they  differ  from  the  preceding 
family.  The  antennte  are  ten-jointed,  club  three-jointed  :  the  mandibles  are  short,  but 
project  more  or  less  from  beneath  the  coriaceous  labrum  ;  they  are  also  notched  on  the 
outside  near  the  tip.  The  elytra  do  not  cover  the  abdomen. 

The  seventh  family  is  allied  to  the  preceding  :  it  has  received  the  name  of  Akoflo- 
GNATHiDJE,  and  is  composed,  like  the  Dynastidje,  of  foreign  species. 

The  eighth  family,  the  Melolonthidjs,  constitute  a  well-known  group,  which  contains 
numerous  indigenous  species,  with  forms  as  delineated  on  Plate  x,  figs.  4  -  G,  9.  They  are 
ovate  thin  beetles,  sometimes  scai'cely  thicker  behind  than  before.  The  labrum  is  divided 
into  two  lobes  transversely  ;  the  mandibles  are  sti-ong  and  horny,  the  internal  margin  acute 
at  the  apex.  The  clypeus  is  separated  by  a  transverse  suture,  which  runs  just  before  the 
eyes  :  antennae  9  -  10-jointed,  terminated  by  a  knob  composed  of  a  variable  number  of 
laminae  (from  3  -  7),  variable  also  in  form.  The  anterior  margin  of  the  mcntum  is  notched 
or  emarginate.  Some  of  the  species  are  large  ;  but  the  colors  are  not  brilliant,  the  surface 
being  often  pubescent  and  dull.  The  common  horn  beetle,  or  the  goldsmith  beetle,  which 
fly  about  in  the  evening  in  the  months  of  June  and  July,  may  well  represent  (his  family  : 
they  feed  upon  flowers  or  leaves,  and  are  sometimes  injurious  in  this  way. 

Passing  the  GLAPHYRiD.iE,  the  ninth  family,  which  are  all  foreign  to  us,  we  reach  the 
tenth  and  last  family,  the  Cetonidje,  a  group  which  holds  about  the  same  place  in  (he 
scale  of  importance  as  the  MELOLONTHiD.ff:.  The  antennse  are  ten-jointed  :  the  labrum  is 
concealed  beneath  an  emarginate  clypeus  ;  the  mandibles  are  comparatively  slender,  lan- 
ceolate ;  the  mentum  is  pitcher-shaped,  and  conceals  the  labium  ;  tl>e  scutellum  distinct: 
the  elytra  do  not  cover  all  the  abdomen.  The  insects  feed  upon  flowers,  and  hence  do 
considerable  mischief  :  their  forms  are  delineated  on  Plate  xii,  figs,  i  -  6. 
[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  9 


a^ 


66  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

CLAVICORNES. 

Byrrhidse. 

No  species  of  tlxis  family  have  been  found  in  this  State. 

Histeridfie. 

HisTER  coNFORMis.  ( Plate  xxxi,  fig.  8.) 

Color  black  :  thorax  bluish  black,  smooth,  polished ;  elytra  without  punctures,  striate ; 
strife  obsolete.     Length  one-tenth  of  an  inch. 

LAMELLICORNES. 

Lucanid*. 

Genus  LUCANUS  (  Linn.). 
'  Depressed  mandibles  of  the  male  very  large ;  female  moderate  :  club  of  the  antennse 
'  four-jointed,  iiectinated '  (West wood). 

LucANus  DAMA  (Fab.).     L.  capriolus  (Linn.).  (  Plate  xii,  fig.  7.) 

The  insect  is  large,  dark  chestnut-brown,  smooth  and  plain ;  thighs  lighter  :  mandibles 

of  the  male  long  and  powerful ;  female  less  powerful  tliau  the  male.     Length  about 

1^  or  1|  inch. 

The  male  Lucanus  may  be  recognized  l^y  its  large  and  toothed  mandibles,  which  stand 

out  so  prominently  in  front.  The  female  differs  from  the  male  in  the  f  mallness  of  its  head, 

which  is  partially  concealed  beneath  the  labrum  and  the  oblique  truncation  of  the  lateral 

margin  of  the  thorax.  There  is  a  considerable  variation  in  the  size  of  the  individuals.  It 

is  not  an  uncommon  si^ecies  in  New-York  and  New-England.  The  larvcc  inhabit  the  trunks 

of  decaying  trees,  or  in  wood. 

Platyceras  piceus.  (Plate  xii,  figs.  10,  11.) 

The  Genus  Platyceras  belongs  to  this  group.  The  mandibles  are  shorter  than  those  of 
the  Lucanus,  in  both  sexes  :  it  is  also  a  much  smaller  insect. 

Color  brown ;  elytra  distinctly  punctate ;  mandibles  exsert,  and  each  shows  a  strong 
curved  subcentral  tooth  :  iu  the  female,  the  mandibles  are  shorter  and  less  con- 
spicuous.    Length  from  one-half  to  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 
Fig.  10,  male ;  11,  female,  with  mandibles,  antennai  and  an  clytrum. 


FAMILY    GEOTRUPID^.       .A  67 

Geotriipi(la\ 

Geotrupes  .  (Plate  xii,  fig.  2.) 

Color  brilliant  steel-blue  ;  beneath,  clothed  with  yellowish  brown  hairs.  Clypeus  rough, 

with  a  central  pointed  tubercle  (the  thin  edge  of  the  clypeus  is  turned  up  in  front) ; 

thorax  smooth  and  shining  upon  its  top,  but  confiucntly  punctured  at  the  margins  ; 

elytra  marked  with  numerous  punctate  ridges.     Length  five-tenths  of  an  inch. 

This  species  I  have  lieen  unable  to  refer  to  its  proper  name.  "  The  G.  microphagus  is 

dark  piceous  above  and  beneath,  and  the  legs  are  violaceous." 

Geotrupes  splendidus.  (Plate  xii,  fig.  3.) 

Splendent  green  ;  purplish  beneath.  Thorax  rather  thickly  punctured,  and  confluent  on 
the  sides  ;  scutellum  smooth,  or  with  two  or  more  punctures  ;  elytra  svibtuberculated 
near  the  outer  basal  angle,  angle  somewhat  rounded,  and  their  surfaces  are  marked 
by  rounded  ridges  punctate  in  the  grooves  :  body  beneath  clothed  with  brown  hairs. 
Length  six- tenths  of  an  inch. 


Genus  COPROBIUS  (Latr.). 
Body  ovoid  ;  thorax  dilated  in  the  middle ;  scutellimi  none ;  abdomen  nearly  square ; 
clypeus  bidenticulated. 

CoPROBIUS    LjEVIS. 

Medium  size  :  color  dull  black,  finely  punctured  ;  elytral  lines  obsolete.  The  insect  has  a 
submetallic  hue  in  some  lights,  but  is  generally  dull.  There  are  about  eight  obscure 
lines  upon  each  elytrum  :  beneath,  the  body  is  naked,  or  destitute  of  hairs. 
This  insect  is  more  common  here  than  the  Geotntpes.  Common  in  June  and  July,  when 

they  may  be  seen  engaged  in  rolling  a  ball  of  dung  containing  their  ova,  and  which  they 

finally  bury. 

Ateuch'js  sacer  is  a  much  larger  insect,  belonging  to  an  allied  genus,  and  is  the  sacred 
Scarabeeus  which  entered  so  largely  into  the  mythology  of  Egypt. 

All  these  species  fulfil  an  important  place  in  the  economy  of  creation  ;  a  fact  which  in 
more  obvious  in  tropical  regions  than  in  the  north. 


68  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Scarab^eiclie. 

Genus  ONTHOPHAGUS  ( Latr.).     Copris  (111.). 
Bodybroadly  ovate,  short,  depressed  :  last  joint  of  labial  palpi  evanescent ;  clypeus  wider 
than  long,  eniarginate ;  scutellum  none. 

Onthofhagus  hf-cate.  (  Plate  xxxi,  fig.  4.) 

Small  :  dark  brown,  covered  with  white  hairs,  which  give  it  a  hoary  appearance.  Shield 
rather  pointed  and  turned  up  ;  thorax  terminated  in  a  prominent  plate,  turned  up  at 
the  angles  ;  legs  ciliated. 

OlNTnoPHAGUS    OVATUS. 

Rather  small,  ovoid,  brown,  smooth  above  ;  hairs  sparse  upon  the  legs  and  beneath.  Shield 
marked  with  two  parallel  sharp  transverse  ridges. 

Genus  PHAN^US  (  Mc). 
Basal  articulation  of  the  labial  palpi  larger  than  the  others,  and  dilated  at  its  internal 
edge  :  scutellum  none,  but  its  place  is  occupied  by  a  small  triangular  extension  ol 
the  thorax.  Males  furnished  with  tubercles  or  horns  upon  the  clypeus,  and  prominences 
upon  the  thorax. 

PiiAN^us .cARNiFEX.  (  Plate  xii,  fig.  5.) 

Rather  short,  wide  :  elytra  shorter  than  the  head  and  thorax ;  shield  with  a  single  or 
double  prominence  Ixhind  ;  thorax  rich  purple  green,  and  strongly  sculptured  ;  elytra 
rich  purple-green,  punctated  and  ridged  ;  beneath  green  ;  upper  surface  of  the  legs 
purple. 
The  males  are  smaller  than  the  females,  and  the  clypeus  is  armed  with  a  long  and  strong 
horn  pointing  backwards  :  in  females,  it  is  merely  a  tubercle,  or  may  be  two  close  together. 
The  thorax  of  the  male  presents  a  broad,  flat,  nearly  semilunar  punctate  disk.     Length 
seven-tenths  of  an  inch.. 
Occurs  rarely  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  :  common  in  Maryland. 

Genus  APIIODIUS  (  III.).     Copris  (01.);  Scarab^us  (Linn.). 
Terminal  articulation  of  the  palpi  cylindrical ;  mandibles  destitute  of  a  corneous  tooth  or 
lobe  ;  form  of  the  body  gibbous. 
All  the  species  of  the  genus  Aphodius  live  in  the  excrements  of  animals,  where  they 
occur  often  in  great  numbers.  They  are  small  insects,  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch  in  length, 


FAMILY   8CARAB^IDi£.  69 

of  a  cylindrical  form  :  some  of  the  species  are  spotted,  or  variously  colored.  During  the 
days  of  autumn  they  take  wing  in  great  numbers,  flying  sluggishly  througli  the  air.  In 
Europe,  Ldhrus  cephalotus  is  said  to  devour  the  tender  shoots  of  plants,  particularly  of 
vines ;  but  this  seems  to  be  an  exception  to  the  habits  common  to  the  family. 

Aphodius  bicolor  (S.). 
Quite  small,  brown  or  black-brown  ;  legs  and  beneatli  light  fuscous  :  head  and  thorax 
finely  punctured  ;  edges  of  the  elytral  ridges  finely  notched ;  clypeus  widely  emargi- 
nate.     Length  one-fifth  of  an  inch. 

Aphodius  strigatus. 
Small  :  head  and  thorax  very  finely  punctured,  black,  smaller  than  the  preceding,  obtuse 
at  both  extremities ;  clypeus  convex  ;  feet  dark  piceous  ;  posterior  angles  of  the  thorax 
rounded. 

Aphodius  terminalis  (S.). 
Small,  brown  or  blackish  brown,  shining  :  forelegs  hairy ;  tips  of  the  elytra  and  feet 
rufous  ;  clypeus  trituberculate  and  emarginate  before  ;  thorax  marked  with  subequal 
punctiu'es  ;  elytra  marked  with  punctured  strise. 

Aphodius  copronimus  (M.). 
Quite  small,  light  brown,  shining  :  thorax  rather  mottled  with  darker  brown,  very  finely 
punctured. 

Aphodius  femoralis  (S.). 
Blackish  brown  :  edges  of  the  thorax  dilated  and  light  brown  ;  elytra  fuscous  and  lighter 
in  front ;  thighs  light  and  translucent.     Scarcely  one-fifth  of  an  inch  in  length. 

Aphodius  aterrimus  (M.). 
Small  :  thorax  black  ;  elytra  dark  brown  ;  brown  beneath. 

Aphodius  serval. 
Brown  :  head  finely  punctured ;  thorax  dark  brown ;  elytra  light  brown  and  spotted, 
three  in  front,  banded  in  the  middle. 

Genus  COPRIS  (Geoff.).     Scarab.'eus  (Linn.). 

Body  ovate,  thick  and  convex  ;  knob  of  the  antennte  terminating  in  three  leaves  ;  four 
hindlegs  dilated  and  truncated  ;  scvitellum  none  ;  articulations  of  the  labial  palpi 
three  :  the  first  joint  i^  cylindrical,  and  not  dilated  at  the  internal  side. 


70  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

CopRis  cAROLi.Nus.  (  Plate  xii,  fig.  8.) 

Body  thick,  obtuse  behind  :  clypeus  round  and  entire  before,  but  furnished  with  a  single 
notch  in  front  of  the  eye,  from  which  there  is  a  depressed  line  running  backwards, 
and  terminating  at  the  base  of  the  tubercles,  the  middle  of  which  is  much  the  most 
prominent  and  pointed.  The  front  of  the  thorax  rises  into  a  strong  serrated  ridge,  and 
there  are  two  lateral  rounded  depressions  :  the  puncta  are  fine,  and  the  posterior  part 
is  smooth,  and  marked  with  a  slight  central  furrow  which  does  not  reach  the  eljtra. 
Elytra  strongly  fun-owed,  and  punctate.  The  abdomen  appears  as  if  truncated.  The 
color  is  dark  chestnut-brown  :  body  licncath  clothed  with  reddish  brown  hairs  ;  the 
margin  of  the  thorax  is  ciliate.  The  dilatations  of  the  tibise  are  similar  to  flattened 
funnels  :  the  tibiee  of  the  forelegs  are  thick,  and  have  four  strong  notches  upon  their 
outer  edges.     Length  one  inch. 
This  beetle  is  common  in  Vii'ginia  and  Maryland,  but  I  have  not  observed  it  in  New- 
York,  though  Cetonia  and  Phanaus,  which  accompany  it  there,  are  not  uncommon  here. 
This  insect  does  not  roll  up  a  ball,  but  makes  a  collection  or  heap  of  soft  and  fresh 
manure,  in  which  the  eggs  are  deposited.  It  penetrates  quite  deeply  into  the  ground  be- 
neath the  droppings  in  pastures  and  by  the  roadsides. 

Trogidae. 

This  is  a  fitmily  embracing  but  a  few  genera  :  they  are  ovate  and  gibbose,  with  inflex 
elytra.  The  head  is  deflexed,  the  thorax  short  and  transverse,  and  the  surface  of  the  elytra 
rough.  The  antennae  are  nine-  or  ten-jointed,  and  the  extremity  is  formed  of  three  leaves 
somewhat  distant  from  each  other  :  the  labrum  is  coriaceous  and  exserted  ;  the  labiiim  is 
concealed  by  the  mentum  ;  the  mandibles  are  horny,  and  sometimes  toothed. 

This  family  is  allied  to  the  Geotrupid^.  The  most  reliable  information  is  that  they  feed 
upon  carrion,  or  decaying  animal  matter,  being  found  in  the  carcases  of  dead  animals  : 
they  have  also  been  found  in  rotten  wood,  and  at  the  same  time  they  are  known  to  inhabit 
sandy  places  under  ground.  Some  of  the  family  are  apterous. 

Genus  TllOX  (  Fabr.).     Scarab.tojs  (Linn.) 
Antennae  ten-jointed  ;  body  subovate,  convex  ;  thorax  rugous. 

Trox  roRCATus.  (  Plate  xxiv,  fig.  iii.) 

Dull  brown  :  clypeus  rounded  in  front,  and  marked  by  a  shallow  transverse  groove, 

angulated  in  the  middle,  witli  small  pointed  tubercles  on  the  line  of  flexure ;  thorax 

widely  grooved  in  the  middle  ;  elytra  traversed  by  a  series  of  reticulated  lines,  forming 

a  species  of  network  upon  their  surfaces  and  angles  behind.     Length  half  an  inch. 


FAMILY    MELOLONTHID.E.  71 

Trox  capillaris.  (  Plate  xxiv,  fig.  1.) 

Brown,  dull  :  elytra  ti-aversed  bj'  several  rows  of  pointed  or  sharpened  tubercles,  standing 
between  the  fine  parallel  lines.     Length  two-fifths  of  an  inch. 

Dyuastidae. 

This  family  embraces  the  most  gigantic  beetles  known  :  the  genera  are  also  numerous. 
The  antenna^  are  ten-jointed  :  the  first  is  robust,  conic  and  hairy  ;  the  second,  sub- 
globose  ;  the  next  five  arc  short,  and  the  head  is  composed  of  three  laminse  in  contact. 
The  clypeus  is  frequently  horned,  as  well  as  the  thorax  :  head  subtrigonal ;  elytia 
truncate,  leaving  the  end  of  the  abdomen  bare.  The  body  is  large  and  thick,  the  legs 
strong ;  tibia?  broad  and  dentate. 
This  singular  family  have  some  of  the  habits  of  the  GEOTRUPiDa;  :  that  of  subsisting 

upon  and  in  the  excrement  of  animals,  and  decaying  refuse  matter  from  the  vegetable 

kingdom. 

Melolontliidae. 

Genus  SERICA  (  Macleav).     Scarab.eus  (Linn.). 

'  Form  ovate.  Antenna'  ten-jointed  :  basal  joint  the  largest ;  the  second  the  next,  and  the 
'  claws  bifid  :  last  jt)int  of  the  palpi  subacute  '  (  Westwcod). 

Serica  a'espertina.  (  Plate  xxiv,  fig.  9.) 

Color  light  chestnut-lirown,  uniform  :  body  small ;  wider  behind. 

Trichinus  (  Tkichius)  viridans.  (  Plate  xxiv,  fig.  5.) 

Color  of  the  head  and  thorax  green  :  elytra  obscurely  striped  ;  margins  marked  with  dark 
sjDots  ;  disk  ferruginous,  truncate,  exposing  the  abdomen,  punctured  and  marked  by 
longitudinal  lines  ;  abdomen  hairy. 

Trichtxus  assimii.is. 
Color  black,  liairy  and  glossy.  Elytra  marked  near  their  bases  with  a  light  brownish  patch, 
from  each  outer  angle  of  which  proceed  two  white  oblique  lines  that  nearly  reach  the 
margins  ;  and  from  the  inner  angles,  two  other  white  lines  arise,  which  run  parallel 
with  the  suture,  and  do  not  quite  reach  the  truncated  extremity  :  there  is  also  an 
obscure  line  parallel  with  the  last,  and  about  half  as  long,  which  may  not  be  constant. 
Posterior  segment  of  the  abdomen  clothed  with  a  dense  coat  of  yellowish  white  hairs: 
abdomen  below  shining,  and  less  liairy  than  the  breast.  Length  rather  more  than 
one  fourth  of  an  inch. 
Found  in  Western  Massachusetts. 


72  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Genus  PHYLLOPHAGA  (  Harris). 
First  joint  of  the  antennse  largest  and  clavate  ;  the  fifth  aatl  sixth  larger  than  the  second, 
third  and  fourth  ;  terminal  leaves  three  or  seven  :  maxillary  palpi  fuur-jointed,  the 
fourth  long  and  ovate  :  clypeus  divided  by  a  transverse  suture  before  the  eyes  : 
thorax  subquadrate  :  tibiae  somewhat  dilated  ;  claws  equal,  and  armed  with  a  nearly 
central  tooth. 

Phyllophaga  quercina.  (  Plate  x,  fig.  9.) 

Large  :  color  chestnut  brown,  uniform;  beneath  covered  with  brown  hairs.  Abdomen 
naked ;  labrum  rounded  before,  and  punctured  ;  elytra  punctured,  and  their  tips 
separated  behind.     Length  about  eight-tenlhs  of  an  inch. 

Phyllophaga  drakii. 
Large  :  color  rather  lighter  brown  than  the  preceding.   Labrum  traversed   by  a  line 
dividing  It  into  two  unequal  parts  :  rings  of  the  a])domen  finely  punctured. 
This  species  is  rather  larger  than  the  quercina  :  length  about  nine-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Phyllophaga  hirt'icula. 
Noticed  by  Dr.  Harris,  is  of  a  bay  brown  color,  with  punctures  larger  and  more  distinct 
than  those  upon  the  quercina,  and,  on  each  wing-cover,  the  hairs  are  arranged  in  three 
lines.     Length  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 
Appears  in  June  and  July. 

Phyllophaga  georgicana. 
Siu-face  covered  with  short  grayish  yellow  hairs.     Length  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 
It  occurs  in  New-York. 

Phyllophaga  pilosicollis.  ( Plate  xxiii,  fig- 7.) 

Color  pale  reddish  brown  :  hairs  longest  upon  the  thorax  and  base  of  the  elytra.  Anterior 
edge  of  the  head  entire,  rounded  and  deflected,  puncture  dilated  and  shallow  ;  la- 
teral edge  of  the  thorax  dilated  in  the  middle  ;  elytra  pale,  testaceous,  densely  and 
equally  punctured,' and  covered  with  short  procumbent  hairs.  Length  half  an  inch. 
Say. 

Phyllophaga  variolosa  (Knoch.).  Melolontha  variolosa  (Hentz). 
This  species  differs  essentially  from  the  foregoing  in  the  form  and  structure  of  the 
antennse,  the  knob  consisting  of  seven  curved  elongate  leaves.  Its  color  is  light  brown, 
with  irregular  depressions  upon  the  elytra,  which  appear  like  accidental  flexures  or  in- 
dentations made  by  some  external  force  :  it  is  clothed  with  long  yellow  hairs  upon  the 
breast.  The  clypeus  is  extended  and  reflexed,  and  the  sutural  line  is  before  its  middle. 


m 


4 


FAMILY    MELOLONTHIi)^.  73 

The  hdrs,  botli  upon  the  thorax  and  elytra,  are  arranged  iu  four  rather  interruittcd  lon- 
gitudinal belts.     Length  eight-  to  nine-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Tills  species  I  had  not  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  till  this  year,  1853  :  many 
individuals  have  been  taken. 

It  may  be  remarked  that  most  of  the  species  of  this  genus  are  ranch  alike,  although 
generally  smaller  than  that  figured.  The  color  varies  from  yellowish  brown  to  chestnut, 
according  to  the  species.  The  breast  is  more  or  less  hairy,  and  the  elytra  are  iu  some  cases 
sparsely  furnished  with  erect  hairs.  In  the  larva  state  they  feed  upon  the  roots  of  grass, 
and  probably  of  grain,  and  thus  they  commit  great  havoc  uiion  pastures,  whilst  the  adujt 
insects  live  upon  the  foliage  of  various  plants- 

These  beetles  are  well  known  in  the  country  by  the  name  of  kornbugs,  and  become 
troublesome  by  flying  into  the  open  windows  where  a  lamp  is  burning.  Their  proper  name 
is  May  beetle,  a  designation  implying  the  time  of  their  appearance  among  us.  They  are 
injurious  both  in  their  larva  and  perfect  states  :  in  the  former,  by  their  depredations  upon 
the  roots  of  grass  and  other  herbage  ;  and  in  the  latter,  by  the  destruction  of  the  3'oung 
and  tender  leaves  of  fruit  and  other  trees.  They  are  supplied  with  strong  jaws  for  cutting 
the  leaves  of  plants,  for  which  they  are  admirably  fitted  ;  and  their  feet  are  strong,  and 
fitted  for  digging  in  the  soil  after  their  transforraaftons  are  effected.  They  were  formerly 
included  in  the  Genus  Melolontha. 

Maybugs  have  rarely  been  sufiicieutly  numerous  to  inflict  serious  injury  upon  the 
farmer  :  the  Hon.  Mr.  Barlow,  however,  records  an  instance  where  they  did  much  da- 
mage in  Madison  county,  in  1849  and  50  ;  they  ate  the  leaves  of  the  cherry,  elm,  apple, 
butternut,  etc.,  showing  that  they  are  by  no  means  restricted  to  our  cultivated  fruit  trees. 
The  most  effectual  method  of  destroying  them  was  to  kindle  fires  at  night  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  the  trees  they  were  injuring  :  attracted  liy  tlie  light  of  the  blaze,  thou- 
sands were  destroyed  with  little  difficulty,  or  at  a  trifling  cost.  Shaking  the  trees  to  dis- 
lodge them,  was  an  effectual  means  of  turning  their  attention  to  the  light.  They  appeared 
tlie  last  of  May  and  first  of  June,  and  continued  from  eight  to  twelve  days. 

Another  instance  is  related  by  Dr.  Fitch  in  the  Journal  of  the  New- York  State  Agri- 
cultural Society,  where  the  Phyllophaga  quercina  appeared  in  great  numbers  and  suddenly. 
He  states  that  on  the  farm  of  Milo  Ingalsbe,  an  orchard,  consisting  of  about  seventj*  plum 
together  with  many  cherry  trees,  had  their  limbs  stripped  of  leaves,  liuds,  etc.  while  they 
were  in  bloom  :  the  bugs  were  hatched  out  in  the  course  of  two  nights,  and  completely 
destroyed  all  hopes  of  fruit  for  the  season,  even  if  the  trees  themselves  survived  defoliation. 

The  duration  of  the  individual  life  of  this  insect  is  short,  a  week  or  two  being  the  term 
during  which  it  lives  :  there  is,  however,  a  succession  of  individuals  of  the  species,  so 
that  the  period  which  they  remain  is  more  than  a  month.  After  the  pairing  of  the  sexes, 

[AeRicuLTUBAL  Kepokt  —  Vol.. -T.]  10 


'J^', 


74  ORDER    CGI.EOPTERA. 

the  male  soon  dies,  ami  the  female  perforates  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  a  foot,  where  she 
deposits  her  eggs  :  they  are  then  abandoned,  and  she  returns  to  the  suriiice  to  remain  a 
short  time,  when  she  also  perishes.  The  eggs  are  said  to  hatch  in  about  fourteen  days.  The 
grubs  are  whitish,  and  provided  with  six  legs  situated  near  the  head,  and  a  pair  of  strong 
jaws  :  their  heads  are  brown.  These  are  the  grubs  that  are  frequently  ploughed  up  in  old 
fields,  of  a  grayish  white  color,  an  inch  or  moi-e  in  length  and  a  quarter  of  an  inch  thick  : 
they  lie  dexed  in  tlie  fjrm  of  a  circle.  They  live  during  the  summer  near  the  suifacC; 
subsisting  upon  the  roots  of  plants,  which  they  devour  in  large  quantities  :  as  winter 
approaches,  they  descend  below  the  reach  of  frost,  where  they  become  torpid.  Three  or 
four  seasons  are  spent  in  this  way,  till  finally  they  form  a  ball  of  an  oval  shape,  in  which 
they  enclose  themselves  and  undergo  their  transformation. 

The  ravages  of  this  grub  may  be  much  diminished  by  allowing  crows  and  jays  to 
frequent  the  grounds  infested  by  them  :  indeed  it  is  the  most  feasible  way  of  getting  rid 
of  them  ;  and  although  most  farmers  and  gardeners  carry  on  an  exterminating  war  with 
crows,  and  blackbirds,  yet  these  blackcoated  vagabonds,  as  Wilson  calls  them,  are  by  no' 
msans  such  groat  rascals  as  they  arc  represented  :  they  have  redeeming  qualities,  and  the 
destruction  of  grubs  and  wireworms  are  real  benefits  which  they  confer  upon  the  farmer. 
The  beetles  themselves  are  devoured  by  skunks. 

The  beetles  of  this  genus  have  been  very  abundant  at  distant  intervals  :  almost  in- 
credible accounts  are  given  of  their  numbers,  especially  of  the  European  species. 

Among  the  numerous  remedies  recommended  for  destroying  the  larva,  ploughing,  no 
doubt,  would  have  the  effect  of  throwing  many  of  them  within  the  reach  of  frost ;  but  if 
done  too  early,  they  would  have  time  to  bui-y  themselves  again.  The  larvffi  and  peifect 
insects  are  frequently  seen  when  the  ground  is  broken  up  in  the  spring  ;  and  many  are 
then  destroyed  by  crows  ami  blackliirds,  which  follow  the  ploughman  to  gather  whiilever 
may  be  exposed  suitable  for  their  sustenance  :  they  arc  also  destroyed  by  foxes,  weasels, 
owls,  and,  according  to  Dr.  Harris,  the  skunk. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  Loudon's  Magazine  of  Natural  History,  Vol.  vi,  p. 
142-4  :  the  rook  is  a  species  of  crow. 

'A  strong  prejudice  is  felt  by  many  persons  against  rooks,  on  account  of  their  destroying 
grain  and  potatoes  ;  and  so  far  is  this  carried,  that  I  know  persons  who  offer  a  reward  for 
every  rook  that  is  killed  on  their  laud  ;  yet  so  mistaken  do  I  deem  them,  as  to  consider 
that  no  living  creature  is  so  serviceable  to  the  farmer,  except  the  live  stock  he  keeps  en 
his  farm,  as  the  rook.  In  the  neiglilxrhood  of  my  native  place  is  a  rookery  in  which  it  is 
estimated  there  are  ten  thousand  rooks  ;  that  1  lb.  of  food  a  week  is  a  very  moderate  al- 
l")wance  for  each  bird  ;  and  that  nine-ten  (hs  of  their  food  consist  of  worms,  insects,  and 
their  larvae  :  for  although  they  do  considerable  damage  for  a  few  weeks  in  seedtime  and  a 
few  weeks  in  harvest,  particularly  in  backward  seasons,  yet  a  very  large  proportion  of 
their  food,  even  at  these  seasons,  consists  of  insects  and  worms,  which  (if  we  except  a  few 


>W7 


FAMILY    MELOLONTHID-E.  75 

acorns  in  autumn)  form  at  all  other  times  the  whole  ol'  their  siib.-iistcnce.  Here,  then,  if  my 
data  be  correct,  there  is  the  enormous  quantity  of  180000  lbs.  or  209  tons  of  worms,  insects 
and  their  larvae,  destroyed  by  the  birds  of  a  single  rookery  ;  and  to  every  one  who  knows 
how  very  destructive  to  vegetation  are  the  larvse  of  the  tribes  of  insects  (as  \vell  as  worms) 
fed  upon  by  rooks,  some  slight  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  devastation  which  rooks  are 
the  means  of  preventing.  I  have  understood  that  in  Suffolk,  and  in  some  of  the  southern 
counties,  the  larva?  [of  insects  allied  to  Lachnosterna]  are  so  exceedingly  abundant  that 
the  crops  [of  grain  J  are  almost  destroyed  by  them,  and  that  their  ravages  do  not  cease  even 
when  they  have  attained  to  a  winged  state.  Various  plans  have  been  proposed  to  put  a 
stop  to  their  depredations  ;  but  I  have  little  doubt  that  their  abundance  is  to  be  attributed 
to  the  scarcity  of  rooks,  as  I  have  somewhere  seen  an  account  that  rooks  in  those  counties 
are  not  numerous. 

'A  flight  of  grasshoppers  visited  Craven,  and  they  were  so  numerous  as  to  create  con- 
siderable alarm  among  the  farmers  :  they  were,  however,  soon  relieved  from  their  anxiety; 
for  the  rocks  flocked  in  from  all  quarters  by  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands,  and  devoured 
them  so  greedily  that  they  were  destroyed  in  a  short  time, 

'  It  was  stated  in  a  newspaper  a  year  or  two  back,  that  there  was  such  an  enormous 
quantity  of  caterpillars  upon  Skiddaw,  that  they  devoured  all  the  vegetation  on  the 
moimtain,  and  people  were  apprehensive  that  they  would  attack  the  crops  in  the  enclosed 
lands  ;  but  the  rooks,  having  discovered  them,  in  a  very  short  time  put  a  stop  to  their 
ravages. 

'  An  extensive  experiment  appears  to  have  l^eeu  made,  the  result  of  which  has  been  the 
opinion  that  farmei-s  do  wrong  in  destroying  rooks,  jajs,  sparrows,  and  indeed  birds  in 
general,  on  their  farms,  particularly  where  there  are  orchards.  That  birds  do  mischief 
occasionally,  there  can  be  no  doubt ;  but  the  harm  they  do  in  autumn  is  amply  com- 
pensated by  the  good  they  do  in  spring,  by  the  destructive  havoc  they  make  among  the 
insect  tribes.  The  quantity  of  grubs  destroyed  by  rooks,  and  of  caterpillars  and  their  grubs 
by  the  various  small  birds,  must  be  annually  immense.  Other  tribes  of  birds,  which  feed 
on  the  wing,  as  swallows  and  martins,  destroy  millions  of  winged  insects.  Even  some, 
usually  supposed  to  be  so  mischievous  in  gardens,  have  actually  been  proved  only  to 
destroy  those  buds  which  contain  a  destructive  insect.  Ornithologists  have  of  late  de- 
termined these  facts  to  be  true ;  and  officers  would  do  well  to  consider  them,  before  they 
waste  the  public  money  in  paying  rewards  to  idle  boys  and  girls  for  the  heads  of  dead 
birds,  which  only  encourages  children  and  other  idle  persons  in  the  mischievous  employ- 
ment of  fowling.  On  some  very  large  farms  in  Devonshire,  the  proprietors  determintd,  a 
few  years  ago,  to  try  the  result  of  offering  a  great  reward  for  the  heads  of  rooks  ;  but  the 
issue  proved  destructive  to  the  farms,  for  nearly  the  whole  of  the  crops  failed  for  three 
succeed  (Tig  years,  and  th<y  hove  since  becri  forced  to  import  recks  and  other  birds  to  re-stcck 
thdr  farms  vnth.'' 


76  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Areoda  lanigera.  ( Plate  x,  fig.  4.) 

Large,  golden  yellow  and  immaculate  :  scutellum  and  thorax -give  a  gi-een  reflexion, 
brassy  in  certain  lights.  Elytra  terminated  by  a  rounded  ridge,  terminating  in  a  pro- 
minence behind,  densely  liaired  beneath. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  beautiful  beetles  of  this  country.  It  takes  its  specific 
name  lanigera,  wool-bearing,  from  the  dense  woolly  coating  with  which  its  abdomen  and 
parts  beneath  are  supplied  :  it  is  also  called  the  goldsmith  beetle,  from  its  beautiful  color 
above  ;  though  this  name  is  likewise  applied  to  the  Gymnetis  nitida,  which  is  about  the 
same  size,  and  of  a  greenish  color  margined  and  varied  with  fulvous.  It  may  be  recognized 
by  wanting  the  triangular  scutellum  at  the  inner  base  of  the  elytra,  this  portion  having 
no  api^arent  juncture  with  the  prothorax. 

The  Areoda  is  about  nine-tenths  of  an  inch  long,  broad  oval  in  shape,  of  a  lemon-yellow 
color  above,  burnished  like  gold  on  the  top  of  the  head  and  thorax  :  the  underside  of  (he 
body  is  copper-colored,  and  thickly  covered  with  whitish  wool ;  and  the  legs  are  brownish 
yellow,  or  brassy,  shaded  with  green. 

'These  fine  beetles  begin  to  appear  in  Massachusetts  about  the  middle  of  May,  and 
continue  generally  till  the  twentieth  of  June.  In  the  morning  and  evening  twilight  they 
come  forth  from  their  retreats,  and  fly  about  with  a  humming  and  rustling  sound  among 
the  branches  of  trees,  the  tender  leaves  of  which  they  devour.  Pear-trees  are  particularly 
subject  to  their  attacks ;  but  the  elm,  hickory,  poplar,  oak,  and  probably  also  other  kinds 
of  trees  are  frequented  and  injured  by  them.  During  the  middle  of  the  day  they  remain 
at  rest  upon  the  trees,  clinging  to  tTie  underside  of  the  leaves  ;  and  endeavor  to  conceal 
themselves  by  drawing  two  or  three  leaves  together,  and  holding  them  in  (his  position 
with  their  long  unequal  claws.  In  some  seasons  they  occur-  in  profusion,  and  then  may  be 
obtained  in  great  quantities  by  shaking  the  young  trees  on  which  they  are  lodged  in  the 
daytime,  as  they  do  not  attempt  to  fly  when  thus  disturbed,  but  fall  at  once  to  the  ground. 
The  larvEP  of  these  insects  are  not  known  :  probably  they  live  in  the  ground,  upon  the 
roots  of  plants.'  Harris's  Report,  p.  22  -  3. 

This  insect  seems  to  be  local  in  its  distribution,  as  it  occurs  plentifully  in  the  public 
squares  of  Philadelphia,  whilst  it  is  rare  in  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania. 

Pelidnota  punctata.  (  Plate  X,  fig.  6.) 

Large,  fuscous  bro^\'u  and  uniform  :  head  greenish  behind,  extending  along  the  sides. 
Sides  of  tlie  insect  marked  with  four  black  spots,  one  upon  the  thorax,  and  three 
upon  the  elytra  and  standing  in  a  line  ;  beneath,  the  color  is  green,  glossy  or  sub- 
metallic.  The  rings  of  the  abdomen  are  m.arked  each  with  a  single  row  of  punctures. 
The  P.  punctata  is  a  fine  beetle, Vith  elytra  of  a  pale  brown  or  tile-color,  and  marked 
as  described  above  :  the  thorax  is  darker  than  (he  elytra ;  beneath,  the  body  is  brassy 
green..  They  fly  by  day,  and  feed  almost  exclusively  on  the  leaves  of  the  grape,  and  hence 


m^ 


FAMILY    MELOLONTHIDiE.  77 


may  prove  injurious  to  the  vine  :  still  their  numbers  are  rarely  such  as  to  render  them  a 
formidable  foe.  The  only  mode  of  destroying  them,  which  is  recommended,  is  to  pick  them 
olf  and  crush  them  under  the  foot.  The  larvse  are  scarcely  injurious,  inasmuch  as  they 
live  in  rotten  wood,  as  stumps  of  trees,  and  such  trunks  as  are  decaying  upon  the  ground  : 
they  may  be  regarded  rather  as  beneficial,  by  aiding  the  entire  destruction  of  that  which 
only  cumbers  the  ground . 

The  perfect  insect  prevails  during  the  months  of  July  and  August. 

P.  MAcuLATA,  au  allied  species  or  variety,  has  the  legs  and  extremity  of  the  abdomen  of 
the  same  color  as  the  upper  parts.  <  These  beetles  liy  by  day,  but  may  also  be  seen  at  the 
same  time  on  the  leaves  of  the  grape,  which  are  their  only  food  :  they  sometimes  prove 
very  injurious  to  the  vine.  The  only  method  of  destroying  them,  is  to  pick  them  off  by 
hand,  and  crush  them  under  foot.  The  larvse  live  in  rotten  wood,  such  as  the  stumps  and 
roots  of  dead  trees,  and  do  not  differ  essentially  from  those  of  other  scarabseans'  (  Harris, 
p.  2.3).  In  the  variety  which  Dr.  IMelsheimer  has  designated  impundata,  the  spots  are 
absent. 

Genus  CREMASTOCHEILUS  (Knock). 
Thorax  quadrangular,  anterior  angles  prolonged  ;  first  joint  of  the  antennfe  dilated  : 
mandibles  terminating  in  a  strong  curved  or  scythe-like  tooth,  and  furnished  with 
small  spines  in  place  of  the  internal  lobe ;  last  articulation  of  the  palpi  long  and 
cylindrical  :  mentum  a  reversed  heart  in  form ;  upper  angles  rounded,  without 
emargination  (^Regne  Animal). 

Cremastocheilus  hentzii.  ( Plate  xxvi,  fig.  2.) 

Color  blaclc  ;  form  quadrate,  sides  parallel ;  upper  surface  punctured  :  elytra  ridged  and 
coarsely  punctured.  The  whole  surface  is  clothed  with  procumbent  hairs  ;  beneath, 
they  are  stiff,  or  somewht  spinous.     Length  one-half  of  an  inch. 

OsMODERMA  scaeer.     Gymnotus  s.  (Kirby);  Trichius  s.  ( Palisot  de  Beauv.). 

(  Plate  xii,  fig.  9  ;  and  plate  xxv,  fig.  5.) 
Color  black,  or  very  dark  brown  and  brassy.  Body  ovate,  flattened  ;  thorax  round,  dilated 
transversely,  purplish,  strongly  punctured,  and  marked  by  two  rounded  ridges  before ; 
elytra  deflexed  at  the  shoulders  and  behind  ;  surface  sculptured,  and  rather  rough 
than  punctured ;  scutellum  very  acute  :.  beneath  dark  brown,  smooth  and  glossy ; 
legs  long,  purplish  ;  tibige  trispinous  upon  their  outer  edges. 
The  female  is  larger  than  the  male,  and  measures  an  inch  in  length  ;  the  male,  about 
eight-tenths  of  an  inch.  The  name  Osmoderma,  given  by  the  French  naturalists,  is  indica- 
tive of  the  odor  the  insect  imparts  to  the  hands  when  handled.  Tliey  fly  by  night,  and  are 
common  in  New-England  and  \ew-York  in  the  month  of  July. 


# 


78  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Mr.  Harris  mentions  anolher  sjiecies,  called  the  0.  ercnkohi  :  its  color  is  deep  maho- 
gany brown,  sniooth,  polished  ;  Ihe  male  has  a  deeper  tint  liefore  the  middle  of  the  thorax. 

Genus  DICHELONICHA  (Harris). 
Labrum  transverse,  lanceolate  ;  mandibles  short,  trigonal,  incurved,  acute  and  toothless  ; 
maxillse  minute,  linear,  bidentate,  teeth  short ;  first  joint  of  the  palpi  minute,  the 
second  longer  than  the  third  :  autennte  nine-jointed.  ^s^ 

It  is  more  quadrangular  and  elongated  than  the  Genus  Mackoiiactylus. 

DiCHELONYCHA    ELONGATA.  (  PlatC  XXV,    fig.  1.) 

(>olor  light  brown  :  l)iidy  quadrate,  or  with  parallel  sides,  and  the  head  extremity  equal- 
ling the  base  ;  elytra  punctured,  and  marked  with  a  greenish  stripe.  Length  rather 
more  than  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 


Genus  EUCHLORA  (  Macleay).     Anomala'(  Mergerle). 

EucnLORA  ccELEBs  (Gr.).  (  Plate  xxiv,  lig.  0.) 

Yellowish  brown  ;  back  part  of  the  head,  and  central  part  of  the  thorax,  shaded  with 
darker  brown  ;  elytra  bordered  with  l)rown. 
Var.  atrata.  Barker  brown,  nearly  black  (fig.  8). 

Genus  HOPLIA  (  Illic). 
'  Antennse  ten-jointed  ;  claws  simple,  but  unequal '  (  Westwood). 

HopLiA  TRiFAsciATA  ( S.).  (  Plate  xxlv,  fig.  4.) 

Kufous  :  surface  thickly  covered  with  scale-like  grains,  with  downy  hairs  ;  beneath  silvery, 

or  rather  brassy.  Elytra  traversed  transversely  by  three  paler  bars,  confluent  with 

the  darker  :  post-abdomen  covered  Avith  brassy  granules,  similar  to  the  abdomen ; 

legs  very  long.  Female  darker  than  the  male.     Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

Macrodacty'lus  subspinosa  (Latr.).  Melolcntha  s.  (Fab.).  (PI.  v,  fig.  13.) 
Color  yellow  or  ashen  or  drab,  and  clothed  with  a  short  dense  down.  It  is  slender  liefore, 
but  comparatively  thick,  full  and  obtuse  behind,  but  tapers  gently  from  the  base  of 
the  elytra  to  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen,  the  point  of  which  is  exposed  :  labrum 
projecting  over  the  mouth  ;  thorax  protuberant  laterally,  becoming  spinous  ;  elytra 
cx)vered  closely  with  drab-colored  hairs,  nearly  covering  the  extremity  of  the  abdo- 
men :  beneath,  the  abdomen  protuberant  and  greenish ;  legs  long,  rufous,  and  but 
sparsely  hairy ;  joints  of  the  tarsi  dark  brown,  and  surrounded  with  small  spines  : 
.this  is  more  conspicuous  tipon  the  hindlegs. 


FAMILY    MELOLONTHID^.  7& 

The  rosebug,  or  cherrybug,  as  it  is  called,  is  very  destructive.  Its  generic  name  Macro- 
(Jac^y/««,  is  derived  from  the  lenglhof  thefeet ;  and  its  specific  or  trivial  name  suhsjAncsuSf 
from  an  incipient  spine  or  swelling  upon  the  sides  of  the  prothorax.  It  is  of  a  dull  yellow 
color,  about  three-eighths  of  an  inch  long,  and  appears  in  great  abundance  in  the  sjiring, 
destroying  roses  and  the  blossoms  of  various  plants,  as  well  as  the  foliage  of  fruit  trees, 
including  the  apple,  cherry,  plum,  and  that  of  the  grape. 

Dr.  Harris  has  the  credit  of  being  the  first  to  give  a  satisfactory  history  of  this  insect, 
as  published  in  his  Report. 

I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  destroying  this  insect,  as  well  as  the  Ericstma  moli,  or  the 
appletrce  blight,  by  hand-crushing.  When  there  is  little  or  no  grass  beneath  the  trees,  they 
may  be  beaten  down  and  crushed  with  the  foot ;  the  best  time  being  the  morning,  when 
they  are  somewhat  torpid.  They  may  be  collected  upon  sheets,  or  in  vessels  with  a  little 
water  to  prevent  their  escape  ;  to  be  subsequently  burned  or  scalded.  Plants  infested  should 
be  visited  once  or  twice  a  day,  and  every  effort  made,  by  destruction  of  the  present  brood, 
to  diminish  that  of  the  next  season. 


•  Genus  CETOi\IA(FAB.). 

Antennse  short,  the  basal  joint  largest  and  robust,  glabrous  ;  the  head  three-leaved,  elon- 
gated :  palpi  short,  last  joint  cylindric  tapering  ;  mandibles  short ;  clypeus  quadrate, 
entire  in  front ;  thorax  subtrigonal ;  elytra  sinuate  at  the  outer  margin  near  the  base  ; 
scutellum  elongate  and  acute  :  sternum'produced  and  rounded  anteriorly. 

Cetonia  iNDA.     ScarabcEus  indus  (^lAa.).  ( Plate  xii,  fig.  6.) 

Body  ovate  and  rather  depressed,  pilose  above  and  beneath.  Clypeus  deflexed  and  trun- 
cate :  thorax  subtriangular,  sinuate  before,  centre  of  the  sinus  subdentate,  broadly 
sinuate  behind  for  the  reception  of  the  scutel ;  soutel  an  isosceles  triangle ;  elytra 
light  brown  with  black  spots  scattered  over  their  disks  and  sides,  margins  sinuate, 
behind  truncate,  exposing  the  al'doraen ;  legs  hairy  and  brown ;  abdomen  brown, 
glossy. 
The  thorax  is  more  densely  clothed  with  hairs  than  the  elytra ;  the  latter  are  sprinkled 
with  spots  and  dots  which  are  nearly  black,  some  angular,  and  others  sinuate.  Color  of  the 
abdomen  and  legs  nearly  uniform  :  the  thorax  is  also  spotted  beneath   the  hairs ;  the 
sinuated  base  is  naked  and  fuscous.     Length  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 

This  insect  appears  twice  in  the  season  ;  first  in  March  or  April,  and  last  in  September  :. 
the  latter,  as  Dr.  Harris  supposes,  is  a  newly  hatched  brood,  as  at  no  time  dui-ing  the 
summer  is  an  individual  to  be  found. 

These  insects  appear  upon  various  autumnal  flowers,  as  the  goldenrod,  in  search  of 
pollen  and  honey,  and  are  fond  of  the  sap  and  sweet  juices  of  trees  and  plants.  Ihej  are 


80  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

charged,  however,  with  frequenting  orchards  and  feeding  upon  the  ripening  fruits  :  par- 
ticularly do  they  select  the  l^est  peaches,  which,  if  the)'  do  not  entirely  devour,  they 
o-reatly  injure  by  biting  them.  The  distinguished  naturalist  last  above  named  mentit^ns  that' 
he  has  taken  a  dozen  from  a  single  peach. 

When  cold  weather  approaches,  they  are  sujiposed  to  secure  themselves  in  some  shel- 
tered place,  and  pass  the  winter.  The  March  brood,  fts  I  have  often  observed,  appear  to 
issue  directly  from  the  ground  ;  and  at  numerous  places  they  may  be  seen  in  numbers, 
flying  low,  and  hovering  over  the  ground  like  humbleliees,  upon  which  they  alight  and 
are  lost  in  the  dead  grass  and  leaves,  or  penetrate  again  into  the  earth. 

The  genera  of  this  family  are  numerous,  and  are  known  as  Jlcwer  bietlcs.  The  European 
species  Cetonia  {Epicometis)  hirta  is  said  to  destroy  apricot  blossoms  in  Malta;  and  another, 
Ceionia  cardui,  visits  beehives, and  destroys  the  wax  and  honey  {Revue  Zoologique,  yu,  96). 
Plates  of  lead,  with  small  perforations  for  the  befes,  were  put  over  the  place  of  ingress ; 
but  the  cetonise  soon  enlarged  them  :  zinc  was  then  substituted,  and  found  to  answer  as 
a  protection. 

Cetonia  fulgida  (  Fjib.).  (  Plate  xii,  fig.  4.) 

Body  depressed,  ovate.  Head  small,  green  above  :  thorax  triangular  and  brilliant  green, 

margined  with  luteous  ;  its  sides  are  also  slightly  dilated  ;  l)ase  slightly  sinuous  for 

the  reception  of  the  scutel,  which  is  an  isosceles  triangle  and  green.  Elytra  luteous, 

sometimes  they  show  a  greenish  tint,  truncate  and  deflexed  behind  :  at  the  defiexure 

they  are  prominent ;  the  prominence  terminates  an  ol>scure  ridge  which  runs  from  the 

shoulders  of  the  elytra ;  the  suture  is  also  elevated,  so  as  to  form  a  central  ridge. 

Behind,  the  abdomen  is  marked  with  four  triangular  mouldy  spots  :  spots  similar  to 

these  extend  along  the  sides  of  the  abdomen  ;  legs  luteous,  glossy  ;  sides  of  the  breast 

hairy ;  tarsi  and  base  of  the  cubits  brown,  nearly  black.  Length  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 

This  insect,  which  is  very  common  in  Maryland,  is  not  very  numerous,  as  I  have 

observed,  in  New-England  and  New- York  ;  it  is  more  common  in  the  paths  in  groves  than 

elsewhere. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  ( Continued). 

PRIOCERATA. 

The  next  subtrilie  of  pentamerous  beetles  is  named  Priocerata  by  Mr.  Westmood  {Serri- 
cornes,l.a.tT.).  They  comprise  those  families  whose  antennee  are  short,  or  only  of  a  moderate 
length,  with  an  equal  thickness  throughout,  and  generally  attenuated  at  the  tip  rather 
than  thickened  :  they  are  eleven-jointed,  but  their  peculiar  characteristic  consists  in  being 
serrated  upon  their  inside  ;  hence  the  name  scrricornes  by  Latreille  :  in  the  males,  they 
are  sometimes  pectinated.  The  insect  has  two  short  robust  maxillary  and  labial  palpi  : 
body  elongate  and  narrow  ;  elytra  narrowed  behind,  covering  the  abdomen. 

The  Priocerata  are  divided  into  two  sections,  the  Macrosterni  and  the  Aprostcrni,  by 
Westwood.  The  first  comprises  the  old  genera  Blprestis  and  Elater,  the  consistence  of 
whose  bodies  is  firm,  and  their  forms  elliptic  and  elongate,  but  narrowed  behind  :  their 
legs  are  short,  and  either  partially  or  wholly  retractile ;  and  their  heads  are  short,  and  are 
received  into  a  cylindrical  excavation  in  the  prothorax,  or  in  front  up  to  their  eyes.  The 
pectus  advances  beneath  the  mouth,  and  is  also  produced  behind  to  a  point. 

These  beetles,  for  beauty  and  splendor  of  coloring,  are  among  the  finest  of  the  class  of 
insects  :  they  are  rich  in  the  metallic  hues  which  ornament  their  bodies  and  elytra.  They 
fly  swiftly,  but  walk  slowly,  from  the  shortness  of  their  legs.  They  make  their  escape, 
when  in  danger  of  being  captured,  by  falling  suddenly  into  the  grass  and  weeds. 

The  Blprestidje,  or  bupesfria7is,  have  an  oval  form,  being  widest  behind  the  thorax  and 
obtuse  before,  but  narrower  behind  and  frequently  acute  :  their  bodies  are  also  wider  than 
deep,  with  a  thorax  wider  behind  than  before.  The  head,  according  to  the  typical  character 
of  the  family,  is  sunk  into  the  thorax  up  to  the  eyes  :  the  antennae  are  short,  and  serrate 
on  the  inside.  The  thorax  is  widest  behind,  and  fits  very  closely  to  the  base  of  the  elytra. 
The  legs  are  set  widely  apart,  and  are  short,  and  hence  their  stand  is  firm  :  the  soles  of 
the  fourth  joints  of  the  feet  are  furnished  with  spongy  cushions,  and  the  foot  terminated 
with  two  claws  :  the  scutel  is  small.  The  insects  are  rarely  seen,  except  in  hot  sunny  days, 
when  they  may  be  foiuid  on  fences,  limbs  of  trees,  or  sides  of  houses,  basking  in  the  sun  : 
they  never  fly  in  the  night. 

[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  11 


82  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Although  the  buprcstida?  arc  among  the  most  elegant  and  beautiful  of  the  coh'optera, 
yet  their  larvse  are  one  and  all  more  or  less  injurious  to  fruit  and  forest  trees.  7  he  eggs  of 
the  female  are  deposited  upon  the  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees,  and,  when  hatched,  the  young 
grubs  penetrate  slowly  through  the  bark  ;  and  as  they  are  often  many  years  in  coming  to 
maturity,  time  and  opportunity  is  given  for  extensive  injury  :  it  is  here  they  undergo  their 
transformation. 

The  larviB  of  this  natural  family  of  insects  have  a  very  close  resemblance  to  each  other, 
and  hence  a  brief  description  of  a  single  species  will  be  sufhcicnt  to  convey  an  idea  of 
their  general  characteristics.  These  larvae,  then,  are  white  or  yellowish  white,  rather  long, 
narrow  and  somewhat  flattened,  and  fui'nished  each  with  a  small  brown  head  sunk  into  a 
suddenly  and  abruptly  widened  out  thorax,  conveying  at  first  view  the  impression  that  the 
head  is  very  large,  whereas  it  is  only  two  or  three  of  the  last  rings  that  are  thus  suddenly 
widened  out  and  enlarged  :  the  upper  jaws  are  sujiplied  with  three  black  teeth.  There  are 
no  legs  or  other  apparatus  for  locomotion,  except  two  tubercles  placed  on  the  under  side 
of  the  second  from  the  thorax.  When  drawn  out  of  its  burrow,  the  larva  progresses  by  a 
kind  of  wriggling  motion,  frequently  rolling  over,  though  not  so  often  as  the  more  cylin- 
drical larva  of  the  boring  coleoptera.  They  are  found  both  beneath  the  bark  and  in  the 
wood  :  under  the  bark,  they  lie  partly  coiled,  or  in  the  form  of  a  semicircle.  The  pupa 
bears  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  perfect  insect  :  it  is  found  very  near  the  outer 
surface  of  the  bark,  so  that  when  the  transformation  is  complete,  the  insect  has  only  to 
perforate  a  thin  scale  of  bark  to  escape  from  its  prison  into  open  day. 

The  oaks,  hickories  and  pines  are  the  kinds  of  trees  most  usually  infected  with  the 
bupestrian  larvse  ;  and,  unibrtunately,  our  knowledge  of  the  ways  and  means  by  which 
these  larvse  may  be  destroyed  are  few  and  uncertain  :  the  knife  and  wire  are  the  only 
infallible  means  to  remove  them,  when  once  they  are  in  possession  of  the  premises.  Our 
preventive  means,  however,  in  the  case  of  fruit,  are  more  effectual ;  such  as  scraping  and 
washing  the  trunk  and  large  limbs,  at  those  seasons  of  the  year  when  they  are  known  to 
deposit  their  eggs.  This  kind  of  care  and  attention  is  rarely  bestowed  except  in  the  sirring, 
which,  so  far  as  the  family  of  borers  is  concerned,  is  perfectly  ineffectual,  as  their  eggs  are 
laid  in  the  months  of  June,  July  and  August.  The  perfect  insect,  though  it  may  feed  on 
leaves,  is  comparatively  harmless.  There  is,  however,  no  provision  which  is  so  imiiortant 
to  keep  in  check  the  ravages  of  these  and  all  other  insects,  as  the  preservation  and  pro- 
tection of  birds.  The  woodpecker  in  particular  deserves  the  protection  of  the  farmer,  in- 
asmuch as  it  is  eminently  successful  in  detecting  the  presence  of  the  larvse  of  the  borers, 
as  well  as  very  expert  in  dragging'them  from  their  burrows. 


•WR 


FAMILY    BUPRESTIDjE.  83 


Bupre«tid?e. 


Genus  BUPRESTIS  (Linn.). 
Anteiiiife  subfilifurra,  serrated  in  both  sexes  ;  basal  joint  elongate,  subclavated  ;  terminal 
one  small.  Pali^i,  maxillary  subfiliform,  the  terminal  joint  slightly  tumid  j  labial, 
minute,  the  labrum  attenuated  and  slightly  emarginated  in  front.  Mandibles  slightly 
bifid  at  the  apex  :  maxillfe  small,  somewhat  bilobed  at  the  tip.  Head  deflexed,  short, 
retuse  :  thorax  with  the  posterior  margin  closely  applied  to  the  base  of  the  elytra ; 
the  latter  elongated,  trigonate,  entire  or  serrated  :  legs  slender ;  tarsi  with  the  pe- 
nultimate joint  bilobed  (  Stephens). 

A.  Elytra  dentate,  and  serrate  at  the  apex. 

• 

Bdprestis  (Chalcophora)  virginica  (Drury).  (Plate  v,  fig.  5.) 

Form  oval  :  color  dark  brown  and  sometimes  almost  black,  with  brassy  metallic  reflec- 
tions, more  distinct  beneath.  Surfrxes,  above  and  beneath  punctured  ;  above,  sculp- 
tured in  interrupted  parallel  lines.  Top  of  the  head  deeply  indented  longitudinally  ; 
indentation  linear,  and  extending  to  the  front.  Tiiorax  marked  by  three  distinct 
eminences,  one  of  which  is  central.  Elytra  margined,  sculptured  or  interruptedly 
ridged  ;  base  coarsely  plicated  ;  outer  angle  rounded  and  serrate  ;  inner  angle  ter- 
minated by  a  very  short  spine  :  the  under  side  is  furnished  with  a  short  whitish  down. 
It  is  nearly  an  inch  in  length,  and  quite  robust. 
The  larvte  inhabit  pine  trees,  to  which  they  are  very  injurious.  The  perfect  insect  ap- 
pears in  June. 

BuPRESTis  FULvo-GUTTATA  (Ilarris).     B.  americana  (Kirby). 
Above  black  bronze ;  underneath  metallic,  glossy,  punctured.   Scutellum  very  small. 
Thorax  marked  by  waving  transverse  lines.  Elytra  granulated  and  ornamented  with 
six  yellowish  spots,  but  varialsle  in  number ;  tops  rounded  :  underside  of  the  ab- 
domen, near  the  extremity,  thickly  punctured.    Length  3-  to  4-tenths  of  an  inch. 
The  forelegs  in  this  species  are  without  teeth.  It  is  the  B.  drtimmondi  of  the  fourth  vo- 
lume of  the  Fauna  Boreali  Jlmericajice. 

Found  upon  trunks  of  the  white  pine  in  June. 

BupRESTis  (Anoplis)  easciata  (Fab.).  (Plate  v,  fig.  1.) 

Flattened  above.  Color  fine  brilliant  green,  nearly  of  one  uniform  tint,  punctured  above 

and  beneath.  Mandibles  stout  and  black  :  eyes  black,  ovate  :  thorax  has  four  slight 

depressions  :  scutellum  small  and  triangular.  Elytra  finely  lined,  and  marked   by 

transverse  yellow  bands  :  the  first  is  a  mere  oblong  transverse  spot,  near  the  middle  ; 


84  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

tlie  largest,  is  an  undulating  band  extending  nearly  across  the  elytrum,  and  the  last 

is  a  spot  near  the  apex  :  the  spots  are  siu-rounded  with  a  black  glossy  border.  Tlie 

apex  has  a  steel-blue  reflexion,  and  is  bidentate. 

This  is  one  of  the  finest  beetles  belonging  to  this  family  :  it  varies  in  length  from  four 

to  six-tenths  of  an  inch.  The  bands  are  variable  in  number  :  they  are  found  some  Avith 

three,  others  with  two,  which  is  the  most  common,  and  still  another  variety  has  only  one. 

[  I  have  observed,  in  some  of  the  plates,  the  color  of  the  figm-e  is  too  black,  and  the 

green  too  indistinct.] 

BupREsTis  .  ( Plate  xxxi,  fig.  11.) 

Slightly  depressed,  widened  posteriorly  and  punctured.  Mandibles  narrow,  black  ;  beneath 
purplish  green  :  eyes  black  :  antennse  green  :  head  and  thorax  green,  cupreous  and 
metallic.  Elytra  bordered  with  metallic  purple ;  disk  green,  forming  a  middle  lon- 
gitudinal band ;  also  marked  with  four  elevated  lines,  truncate,  and  terminated  at 
the  inner  angle  with  a  minute  spine. 
This  beautiful  species  was  found  at  Albany  :  its  elytra  are  finely  bordered  with  purple ; 
the  sutural  line  is  divided  into  two  near  the  base,  and  is  dotted  between.  It  appears  to  be 
rare,  as  it  is  the  only  one  I  have  seen  in  any  of  our  collections. 

BoPRESTis  (Chrysobothris)  dentipes  (Germar).  (Plate  v,  fig- 2.) 

Depressed  or  flattened,  oblong  oval,  purplish  copper-color  above  ;  beneath  copper-colored, 

finely  punctm-ed.  Surface  covered  in  patches  with  a  kind  of  shagreen.  Thorax  marked 

with  two  elevated  lines  :  elytra  rounded  Ijehind. 

This  species  is  still  less  convex  than  the  divarkata  :  its  metallic  hues  are  less  distinct, 

it  is  destitute  of  denticles  at  the  apex  of  the  wing-covers,  its  eyes  are  much  smaller,  and 

its  mouth  differently  constructed.  It  inhabits  the  different  species  of  oalcs,  and  is  not  found 

about  our  fruit  orchards  or  gardens.  It  is  the  B.  charaderistica  of  Harris  ( New-England 

Farmer,  Vol.  viii,  p.  2). 

BupREsTis  (Chrysobothris)  femorata  (Fab.).  (Plate  v,  fig.  3.) 

Rather  depressed.  Color  black  and  bronzed  above,  glossy  and  metallic  ben'eath  :  upper 

side  the  abdomen  is  green,  punctured  above  and  underneath.  Eyes  gray.  Head  is 

marked  with  an  elevated  line,  and  covered  with  short  whitish  hairs  in  front.  Elytra 

rounded ;  the  posterior  edge  subserrate,  or  scarcely  serrated.  _ 

This  species  is  smaller  than  the  dentipes.  It  has  a  well  marked  tooth  inside  of  the  thigh 

of  the  forelegs.  The  elytra  are  rather  shorter  than  the  abdomen,  and  have  an  approach  to 

three  pair  of  impressed  gray  transverse  spots.  It  varies  in  size  ;  not  exceeding,  however, 

half  an  inch  in  length. 

I  took  many  individuals  of  this  species  in  Canandaigua  several  years  since,  in  June, 
upon  a  black  oak.     The  foregoing  species  appear  to  be  widely  distributed. 


FAMILY   BUPRESTID^. 


B.  Mar'jhi  iH/hout  serratures. 


85' 


.  BupRESTis  DivARicATA  (Say).     Cherry  tree  Bufvestis.  (  Plate  v,  fig-1.) 

Convex  ;  greenisli  cupreous  above,  purplisli  and  metallic  beneath,  couflueutly  punctured 
above  and  beneath.  Elytra  attenuate,  divaricate  or  divergent  at  their  tips  :  thorax 
indented  before  the  scutel ;  scntel  small  and  indented  :  elytra  marked  with  lines  and 
with  alibreviated  ele-\-ations  ;  tips  narrowed  and  prolonged  beyond  the  abdomen,  and 
truncate  and  submucronate  on  the  inner  side.  Length  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 
According  to  Say,  it  resembles  the  lurida  of  Fabricius  in  general  appearance. 

BnPRESTis  LURIDA  ( Fab.). 
Above  dull  brassy  ;  beneath  brassy  with  piu-plish  hues  and  bright,  confluently  punctured 
above  and  beneath.  Mandibles  black  :  eyes  dark  brown  or  black  :  thorax  dilated 
before  its  middle,  coai'sely  sculptured,  and  impressed  with  grooves  rather  than  lines. 
Elytra  coarsely  sculptured,  marked  with  wider  abbreviated  lines,  and  connected  by 
branching  ridges ;  behind  they  are  slightly  attenuate,  projecting  just  beyond  the 
pointed  abdomen,  and  terminated  with  two  submucronate  points. 
This  species  differs  from  the  former,  in  being  destitute  of  lines,  having  fewer  confluent 
punctures,  coarseness  of  the  markings,  less  attenuated  tips  of  the  elytra,  and  their  ter- 
mination in  two  short  spines  instead  of  one.  The  larva  is  described  by  Mr.  Harris  as 
destructive  to  the  pignut  hickory  :  it  is  of  a  yellowish  white ;  long,  narrow,  depressed 
in  form,  and  abruptly  widened  at  the  anterior  extremity  :  head  brown,  small,  and  deeply 
sunk  in  the  forepart  of  the  first  segment ;  jaws  three-toothed,  black  :  no  legs,  nor  sub- 
stitutes except  two  small  warts  on  the  underside  of  the  second  segment  of  the  thorax. 

These  grubs  exist  in  the  wood  and  beneath  the  bark,  sometimes  in  great  numbers  :  the 
pupa  resembles  the  perfect  insect. 

Agrilus  ruficollis,  a  member  of  the  Family  Buprestidje,  was  described  by  Professor 
Haldeman  in  the  American  Quarterly  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  Vol.  iv,  p.  200, 
fig.  1,  as  follows  :  'This  little  insect, so  hurtful  to  the  raspberry,  is  about  three  lines  long; 
black,  minutely  iiunctured,  thorax  and  front  brassy ;  front  with  a  vertical  impression  : 
a  wide  shallow  impression  across  the  thorax  posteriorly,  and  another  at  the  base  of  the 
elytra.  In  this  particular  case,  the  knowledge  of  the  appearance  of  the  insect  is  not  es- 
sential, as  far  as  the  means  of  preventing  its  depredations  are  concerned,  although  it  is 
always  interesting  to  know  whence  an  injury  proceeds. 

'  In  its  larva  state,  Agrilus  ruficollis  lives  at  the  expense  of  the  cultivated  Ruhus  (rasp- 
berry), in  the  heart  of  which  the  pupa  may  be  foimd  in  the  month  of  May,  the  imago 
appearing  in  June.  The  larva  bores  between  the  wood  and  bark,  injuring  the  plant,  and 
causing  a  wide  unsightly  excrescence  :  it  next  penetrates  to  the  i:)ith,  which  it  traverses 
for  two  or  three  feet,  finally  excavating  a  cavity  in  which  it  undergoes  its  transformations.' 


86  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Elatcrid^e. 

The  most  distinct  characters  of  this  familj'  are  found  in  the  form  and  structure  of  the 
posterior  part  of  the  thorax  and  sternum  :  the  sides  of  the  former  are  prolonged  into  a 
tooth,  and  the  latter  is  produced  into  a  spine  which  fits  into  a  groove  of  the  abdomen. 
This  arrangement  of  parts  enables  the  insect,  when  upon  its  back,  to  spring  upwards  and 
alight  upon  its  feet  :  this  is  the  only  mode  by  which  it  can  recover  its  standing,  when 
accidentally  upset ;  and  from  this  circumstance  these  insects  are  called  spring  beetles,  or 
s/wpbiigs.  Their  anteunse  are  short  and  filiform,  and  either  serrate  or  pectinate  ;  the  palpi 
terminate  with  a  triangular  or  reniform  joint ;  the  mandibles  are  bifid  at  the  apex  :  body 
linear  and  depressed  :  tliorax  with  the  hinder  and  lateral  angles  produced  into  a  point ; 
the  margin  is  also  grooved  for  the  reception  of  the  short  antenna;.  The  sternum  is  produced 
behind  into  a  spiae,  which  fits  into  a  groove  in  tlie  base  of  the  abdomen.  The  females  are 
l\xrnished  Mdth  a  tripartite  ovipositor. 

In  this  family,  as  iu  the  preceding,  the  head  is  received  into  the  thorax  deeply,  and  the 
legs  and  antennae  are  short  and  slender. 

The  larvfe  live  upon  the  roots  of  vegetables,  wood,  etc.,  and  are  very  injurious  to  corn 
and  hcrbaceoiis  roots.  They  are  known  in  New- York  and  New-England  by  the  name  of 
wirewormsj  from  their  form  and  hardness  :  they  resemble,  however,  a  species  of  Iulus, 
which  belongs  to  the  Class  Myriapoda,  and  should  therefore  not  be  confounded  with  it ; 
a  mistake  which  it  is  quite  unnecessary  to  commit,  as  the  myriapod  has  many  feet,  while 
the  wireworm  has  only  six. 

Although  the  elateridse,  in  their  perfect  state,  are  closely  allied  to  the  buprestidse,  yet 
their  larvae  have  feet,  while  the  larvse  of  the  latter  family  are  destitute  of  them  :  so  the 
enlargement  or  dilatation  near  their  heads  is  equally  distinctive  ;  but  there  is  one  kind  of 
resemblance  common  to  both,  for  they  both  live  several  years  in  the  larval  state,  and  hence 
have  abundance  of  time  to  do  much  injury.  When  a  field  becomes  infested  with  wire- 
worms,  the  Indian  corn  and  other  cultivated  crops  are  often  entirely  destroyed,  and  many 
times  require  replanting.  The  larva  eats  either  through  the  Iccrnel  after  it  is  swollen,  or 
else  through  the  young  shoot.  I  have  seen  two  wireworms  in  the  same  swollen  kernel. 
They  attack  grass,  and  all  the  cereals  ;  and  in  consequence  of  their  long  continuance  in 
this  state,  the  soil  becomes  infested  with  them. 

Soils  which  are  the  most  infested  with  these  larvae  are  usually  poor ;  and  one  of  the 
most  effective  modes  that  can  be  adopted  in  the  cultivation  of  such  land,  is  to  enrich  it. 
Another  mode  which  aids  very  materially  in  the  extirpation  of  the  wireworm,  is  to  plough 
late  in  the  fall  :  it  is  supposed  that  by  exposing  the  ground  freely  to  the  action  of  frost, 
the  larvae  must  perish  from  cold. 


u 


FAMILY    ELATERID.E.  87 

Mttcli  lias  been  said  in  the  agrcultural  journals  about  the  use  of  substances  supposed  to 
be  noxious  to  this  insect,  still  there  is  no  proof  that  any  such  remedy  has  been  effectual. 
Salt  is  usually  relied  on,  but  experience  does  not  sustain  its  use.  So  far  as  salt  contributes 
to  the  amount  of  fertilizing  matter,  it  will  prove  useful  :  beyond  (hat,  it  is  useless. 

In  gardens  where  these  larva?  are  common,  Mr.  Harris  recommends  the  English  mode 
of  extirpating  them  :  this«mode  consists  in  baiting  them  with  slices  of  potatoes  or  turnips, 
which  are  scattered  over  the  ground  at  night.  Early  in  the  morning  the  larvse  are  found 
above  ground  feeding  upon  the  bait,  when  they  are  collected  and  destroyed. 

Genus  ELATER. 

This  genus  is  characterized  by  the  shortness  of  the  antenna?,  which  have  a  short  robust 
basal  joint,  the  second  and  third  joints  small  and  subglobose,  and  with  their  margins 
serrate  upon  their  outer  sides.  Head  small  and  retracted  ;  eyes  small  :  thorax  gene- 
rally elongate,  with  the  posterior  angles  produced  :  body  only  slightly  convex,  lintar 
elongate,  sometimes  subovate  :  legs  short ;  tarsi  simple. 

Elater  (Alaus)  oculatus  (Fab.).  (  Plate  v,  fig.  6.) 

Form  elongate,  depressed.  Color  black,  sprinkled  with  gray.  Head  small  :  thorax  large, 
quadrangular,  and  marked  by  two  ovate  black  velvety  spots  situated  rather  in  ad- 
vance of  the  middle.  Elytra  are  marked  with  slender  lines  ;  posterior  angles  rounded. 
The  underside  of  the  body,  and  of  the  legs,  is  covered  with  a  gray  mealy  substance. 

This  singular  beetle  is  found  in  midsummer  upon  walls  and  fences.  It  is  one  of  our 
largest  beetles  ;  varying,  however,  from  1 5  to  1 1  inches  in  length  :  the  largest  specimens 
are  nearly  half  an  inch  wide.  It  is  glossy  black,  powdered  with  white  specks.  The  head 
has  a  deep  wide  impression ;  the  prothorax  is  an  oblong  parallelogram,  and  the  eyelike 
spots  are  surrounded  by  a  white  ring.  It  is  widely  distributed,  as  I  have  found  it  south  and 
north.  It  appears,  therefore,  at  different  times  in  different  latitudes  :  in  North-Carolina, 
the  last  of  May ;  in  Pennsylvania,  in  June ;  and  in  New-^ork  and  New-England,  in  July 
and  August. 

Mr.  Haldeman  has  found  the  lai'va  of  this  beetle  in  ash  trees  in  an  incipient  decay  :  it 
is  of  various  sizes.  Mr.  Harris  has  found  the  larva  in  old  apple  trees  :  it  is  not,  therefore, 
confined  to  a  single  species  of  trees.  In  old  trees  infested  with  them,  it  is  recommended 
to  remove  and  burn  them. 

The  larvae  are  of  a  yellowish  white  color,  or  reddish  ;  and,  when  fully  grown,  the  largest 
individuals  measure  two  and  a  half  inches  in  length.  The  head  is  rough,  brown  and  broad ; 
the  mandibles  are  strong  and  curved  :  they  have  six  legs,  and  the  last  segment  of  the  body 
is  furnished  with  a  prop  foot ;  and  the  sides  are  armed  with  hooks  and  short  spines. 


88  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Elater  (  Pyrophorus)  noctilucus. 
This  species  is  noticed  merely  to  state  the  fact  that  some  of  the  spines  are  phosphore- 
scent :  they  constitute  the  fire  beetles  of  the  West  Indies,  and  feed  upon  the  sugar  cane. 
They  resemble  the  oculatus  in  form  and  size,  but  the  eyelike  spots  give  out  "a  strong  light ; 
so  also  it  is  emitted  from  the  segments  of  the  body. 

Elater  (Melanotus)  communis  (Schonherr). 
Color  light  brown,  hairy,  subacute  behind  :  thorax  furrowed  in  the  middle  :  elytra,  at 
their  bases,  are  marked  with  about  five  sulci.     Length  half  an  inch. 
It  is  common  diu'ing  the  spring  and  summer  months. 

Elater  (Melanotus)  glandicolor.  (Plate  V,  fig.  9.) 

Color  brown  :  head  small ;  head,  thorax,  elytra  and  abdomen  covered  with  white  or  ash 

gray  hairs.  Elytra  narrowed  behind ;  anterior  margin  or  base  marked  with  3  short  sulci . 

Elater  (  Melanotus)  cinereus. 
Color  brown ;  hairy.  Thorax  punctured,  aud  marked  by  about  ten  obsolete  cross  lines  ; 
they  give  the  aiipearance  of  a  reticulated  structure.     Length  about  half  an  inch,  and 
is  found  in  April,  May  and  June. 

Elater  (Ludius)  appressifrons  (Say). 
Color  chestnut-brown,  but  hoary  from  being  clothed  with  short  yellow  close-pressed  hairs ; 
cylindrical,  slender.  Angles  of  the  thorax  prolonged  :  elytra  finely  punctured,  aud 
also  marked  by  slender  lines.     Length  about  half  an  inch. 
According  to  Dr.  Harris,  the  females  are  more  robust  and  larger  than  the  males,  aud 
the  brevicornis  of  Say  is  identical  with  this  species.  The  elytra  are  marked  by  about  ten 
distinct  lines  each  :  the  legs  are  lighter  colored  than  the  elytra,  and  clothed  with  hairs  ; 
and  the  prolonged  outer  angles  of  the  tliorax  are  excurved. 

Elater  (Acriotes)  obesus  (Say). 
Color  reddish  brown  :  body  somewhat  dilated  and  short  :  scutel  rounded  and  hairy.  The 
elytra  are  punctured,  and  clothed  in  much  the  same  manner  as  the  foregoing.  Length 
less  than  half  an  inch.  The  lines  of  the  elytra  are  only  about  seven  in  number,  and 
the  hairs  upon  the  upper  side  are  arranged  in  lines  or  strijies. 
It  is  found  in  the  spring  among  the  roots  of  grass,  and  it  is  observed  by  Mr.  Harris  that 
its  grub  resembles  the  wireworm  of  Europe. 

Elater  .  ( Plate  v,  fig.  7.) 

This  species  was  found  dead  :  it  is  much  larger  than  the  ajpiwessifrons,  and  of  a  light 
brown  color.  I  believe  now  that  though  it  may  not  be  a  common  species,  still,  as  it  is 
faded,  it  will  probably  be  a  matter  of  doubt  to  what  species  it  really  belongs,  and  there- 
fore I  omit  further  allusion  to  it. 


FAMILY   LAMPYRID.«.  89 


Lampyi'idee. 


The  gluwworms  aud  fireflies  constitute  a  part  of  this  interesting  family  of  insects.  Tlieir 
bodies  are  elongated  aud  greatly  depressed,  and  soft  :  the  elongati<.>u  affects  the  abdomen, 
the  thorax  aud  bead  being  very  short,  and  the  latter  concealed  in  the  former.  The  females 
are  sometimes  destitute  of  wings.  Their  colors  are  dull,  though  a  considerable  variety 
exists,  and  the  markings  of  the  thorax  are  very  peculiar,  tlie  ornamental  colors  consisting 
of  red  and  yellow  combined  with  black.  They  are  said  to  be  voracious,  and  feeders  upon 
flesh,  subsisting  upon  snails,  etc.  When  alarmed,  they  fold  up  their  antennae  and  feet,  and 
remain  motionless  :  if  disturbed,  they  fall  into  the  grass  or  leaves.  They  are  common  on 
fences  and  walls  during  the  siunmer  and  spring.  Some  species  fly  into  the  windows  at 
night,  being  attracted  by  the  light  of  the  candle. 

The  family  is  characterized  anatomically  by  the  diflFerent  authors  as  having  filiform  or 
serrated  antenna?,  with  compressed  joints  ;  the  penultimate  joint  of  the  tarsi  bilobed  ;  the 
parts  of  the  mouth  small  :  mandible  small,  acute  and  curved. 

Genus  LAMPYRIS  (Lin.). 

'  Head  not  rostrated,  covered  by  thorax  :  females  apterous  :  mandibles  entire '  (  West- 
wood). 

Lampyris  nigricans  (Knoch).  ( Plate  xxi,  fig.  3.) 

'  Brownish  black  :  thorax  with  a  rufous  spot  each  side  within  the  margin '  (  Say). 
The  margin  of  the  thorax  appears  wetted,  and  the  thorax  is  edged  with  brownish. 

Lampyris  scintillans.  (  Plate  xxi,  fig.  5.) 

Disli  of  the  thorax  rufous,  with  an  angular  brown  spot  in  the  centre ;  border  yellow  : 
elytra  brown,  bordered  with  yellow. 

Lampyris  anculata.  (  Plate  xxi,  fig.  4.) 

Color  pale  fuscous,  the  darker  indistinctly  defined.  Thorax  marked  with  an  angular  and 

pointed  patch  of  brown  on  its  posterior  part,  and  surrounded  with  rufous  :  sides  of 

the  brown  anterior  part  furnished  with  a  pair  of  oval  yellowish  spots.  Elytra  brown, 

bordered  with  yellow. 

Lampyris  laticornis.  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  2.) 

Antennae  conspicuous  and  compressed.  Thorax  ornamented  with  an  oval  central  black 
spot,  pointed  before,  and  bordered  with  rufous ;  margin  pale  yellow  :  beneath,  the 
colors  correspond  to  those  above.  Elytra  plain  dull  black,  black  beneath.     Length 
one-foiu'th  of  an  inch. 
[  Agkicultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  12 


90  ORDER   COLEOPTERA. 

Lampy'ris  corrusca.  (  Plate  xxi,  fig.  1.) 

Thorax  with  a  black  spot,  rounded  at  the  sides,  and  prolonged  to  the  anterior  extremity 
of  the  tliorax,  bordered  with  rufous  and  yellowish ;  margin  with  a  black  narrow 
border.  Elytra  black  or  dark  brown. 

Lampyris  versicolor.  (  Plate  xxi,  fig.  6.) 

Body  long.  Thorax  lined  with  black  in  the  centre  and  posteriorly,  and  with  oval  rufous 

spots  on  each  side  ;  margin  yellow.  Elytra  dark  brown,  margined  with  yellow,  and 

with  an  acute  band  behind,  running  from  the  anterior  and  outer  angle  to  the  opposite 

interior  angle.     Length  rather  more  than  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

Genus  DICTYOPTERA  (Lt.).     Lycus  (Stph.). 
<  Head  short  :  females  winged  :  mandibles  entire '  (Westwood). 

Dictyoptera  terminalis.  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  8.) 

Thorax  black  in  the  middle,  bordered  with  reddish  yellow  :  antcnnaj,  legs  and  abdomen 

black  :  elytra  pale  orange,  terminated  with  blue-black,  and  longitudinally  veined  ; 

inosculating  transverse  veinlets  between  and  uniting  them  ;  wings  bordered  with  pale 

orange,  shaded  at  their  extremity.     Length  1 

Dictyoptera  reticulata.  (Plate  xxi,  fig.  7.) 

Thorax  with  a  central  black  spot,  bordered  with  orange  :  antennpe,  legs  and  abdomen 
black  :  elytra  orange,  with  two  large  blue-black  oval  spots ;  veins  six,  alternately 
thick  and  thin  :  wings  black  at  their  tips,  and  shaded  blackish.     Length  1 
Both  species  are  furnished  with  conspicuous  antennae. 


Telephoridse. 


Telephorus?  .  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  1.) 

Body  soft,  elongate,  linear  :  elytra  covering  the  abdomen ;  terminal  joint  of  the  labial 
palpi  securiform  ;  eyes  prominent.  Color  of  the  body,  head,  and  middle  of  the  thorax 
black  or  dark  brown  ;  middle  of  the  elytra  brown,  edges  rufous  ;  labrum  and  outer 
margins  of  the  thorax  thin  and  rufous.     Length  half  an  inch. 

Omalisus  coccinatus  ( Say). 
Thorax  indented  :  elytra  orange,  reticulated  with  longitudinal  veins  and  a  transverse 
network  of  veinlets  :  antennae  slightly  rufous,  and  bordering  upon  brown  or  black. 


^ 


FAMILY    CLERID.E.  91 

Cleridse. 

Antenna  subclavate,  the  three  or  four  last  joints  being  thickened  :  the  head  is  more  or 
less  retractile ;  and  the  anterior  parts,  head  and  thorax,  api^ear  elongated,  while  the 
abdomen  is  short.  The  thorax  and  body  are  both  subrotund;  the  last  joint  but  one  of  the 
tarsi,  bifid. 

Tlie  family  is  composed  of  small  but  beautiful  insects  :  they  live  in  -wood,  and  some- 
times in  the  dried  remains  of  animals,  in  which  resjject  they  seem  to  resemble  the  der- 
mestidse.  Others  frequent  beehives,  and  feed  upon  the  larvse  of  the  bee. 

Genus  CLERUS  (Geoff.).     Trichodes  (Fab.). 

'  Tarsi  with  the  basal  joints  scarcely  visible  ;  labial  palpi  terminated  by  a  large  hatchet- 
'  shaped  joint;  terminal  joint  of  the  antenna  acutely  produced  within'  (Westwood). 

Clerus  apiarius.  ( Plate  u,  fig.  8.) 

Color  steel-blue,  pubescent  :  elytra  vermilion,  with  three  transverse  bands  of  deep  violet. 

Genus  THANASIMUS  (Latr.). 

Antennae  gradually  clavate  :  maxillary  palpi  small ;  labial  palpi  terminated  by  a  hatchet- 
shaped  joint ;  basal  tarsi  joint  small. 

Thanasimus  dubius  (Latr.).  (Plate  viii,  fig.  7.) 

Color  brown  and  fuscous,  pubescent ;  madibles  and  eyes  black  ;  head,  tliorax  and  base  of 

the  elytra  fuscous.  Neck  siu-rounded  with  a  collar  :  thorax  emarginate  before,  deeply 

grooved  transversely  behind,  and  exserted.  Elytra  fuscous  and  strongly  punctured  at 

base,  banded  with  rufous  white  and  dark  brown  or  black  ;  thighs  fuscous ;  tibia  and 

first  joints  of  the  tarsi  dark  brown. 

One-third  of  the  basal  portion  of  the  elytra  is  pubescent ;  the  remainder,  or  banded 

portion,  is  clothed  with  close-pressed  short  hairs  :  on  the  undulating  whitish  bands,  the 

hair  is  dirty  white.     Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

This  species  of  Tlmnasimus  is  found  upon  the  pine,  both  in  the  living  and  decayed  state 
of  the  tree. 

The  larva  of  one  of  the  English  species  of  Clerus,  C.  apiarius,  is  found  in  beehives,  and 
is  highly  iujui-ious  to  the  community,  as  it  feeds  upon  the  grubs  of  the  bees.  It  is  an 
European  insect,  and  is  not  known  in  this  country  ;  but  as  other  members  of  the  family 
may  have  tlie  same  habits,  it  is  important  that  they  should  be  found  out. 


92  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Ptinidae. 

The  family  Ptinidje  is  composed  of  a  number  of  small  insects,  which  are  sufficiently 
abundant  at  times  to  cause  considerable  damage  :  they  are  found  in  the  woodwork  of  old 
houses  ;  in  furniture  and  books,  dried  plants,  ship  biscuit,  wafers,  grain,  etc.  The  Genus 
Anobiujsi  is  one  of  these,  and  has  acquired  the  name  of  dcathwatch,  from  the  noise  it  makes. 

Genus  PTINUS. 
'  Autennse  long,  slender  and   simple,  inserted  close  together ;  eyes  prominent ;  elytra 
'  separated  ;  body  oblong'  (  West  wood). 

Ptinus  fur  ( Linn.). 
This  is  a  small  oval  insect  of  a  reddish  brown  color,  one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  length, 
with  the  head  and  prothorax  small  and  the  feet  and  antennse  long  and  slender.  The  elytra 
are  covered  with  hairs,  and  have  a  longitudinal  stria  filled  with  punctures.  It  is  very 
destructive  when  niunerous,  and  is  common  to  Europe  and  America  :  in  Europe,  it  de- 
stroys stored  wheat.  Dr.  Haldeman  remarks  that  he  has  found  it  feeding  upon  the  corn- 
stalks used  to  line  cases  of  insects  in  an  entomological  collection,  in  the  month  of  Fe- 
bruary. It  seems  to  be  a  general  feeder. 


Lymexylonidae. 

The  destruction  of  ship-timlter  collected  in  dockyards,  which  so  often  happens,  is  fre- 
quently effected  by  the  Lymexylon  navale,  a  species  of  insect  belonging  to  this  family,  and 
found  in  Europe.  The  cause  of  the  damage  was  investigated  by  Linneus,  at  the  request  of 
the  King  of  Sweden ;  and  when  he  discovered  it,  he  recommended  immersing  the  timber 
in  water  during  the  period  when  the  female  insect  would  be  engaged  in  depositing  her 
eggs.  Dr.  Harris  describes  an  American  species,  or  one  belonging  to  the  allied  genus 
Hyleccetus. 

CuPES    CAPITATA. 

Color  black  :  head  red  or  ferruginous,  strongly  ridged  and  transversely  grooved,  and 
furnished  with  two  prominent  tubercles  :  thorax  with  three  longitudinal  ridges  : 
elytra  strongly  ridged,  with  two  rows  of  punctures  upon  the  back,  and  three  between 
the  lateral  ridges. 


FAMILY    BOSTRICHID/E.  98 

BostricMdge. 

This  family  is  distiuguishcd  by  the  cylindrical  form  of  the  insect,  and  by  the  front  of  the 
prothorax,  whieli  is  o])]iquely  truncate.  In  this  climate  these  injects  are  small,  but  within 
the  tropics  there  are  some  large  species.  They  all  infest  forest  trees,  burrowing  either 
beneath  the  liarlc  or  into  the  wood.  The  power  they  possess  of  penetrating  hard  substances 
is  quite  remarkable  :  seasoned  timber  is  easily  cut  by  them,  and  the  lead  of  the  roofs  of 
houses  scarcely  presents  an  obstruction.  At  Turiii,  cartridges  stored  in  barrels  were  eaten 
through,  and  the  leaden  balls  gnawed  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  depth.  The  BostricJms  ca- 
pucinus,  the  species  on  which  the  genus  was  iirst  established  by  Geoffroy,  has  been  found 
guawing  type  metal,  which  is  considerably  harder  than  lead.  Their  bodies  are  hard,  and 
generally  black  or  of  a  dark  rusty  brown  :  the  thorax  is  dilated  before  ;  the  antenna  short, 
and  terminate  in  three  large  serrated  joints.  The  larva  are  wood-eaters  also,  of  a  whitis^^h 
color,  wrinkled  above,  and  furnished  with  six  legs. 

Genus  APATE.     Bostrichus  (Oliv.). 
Elytra  spinose  and  reti>se  posteriorly  :  antennse  with  the  second  joint  elongate,  cylindric  ; 
terminal  joints  forming  a  perfoliated  club. 

Apate  basilaris. 
Color  black  or  dark  brown  :  prothorax  rough  and  punctured  ;  base  of  the  elytra  red, 
punctured,  and  the  posterior  extremity  oliliquely  truncate  and  furnished  with  three 
teeth  on  each  side.     Length  rather  more  than  one-f nuth  of  an  inch. 
This  species  is  found  as  far  south  as  Carolina.  It  perforates  the  shagbark  hickory  dia- 
metrically through  the  trunk  to  the  very  heart,  where  it  undergoes  its  transformations  at 
the  bottom  of  its  biu-row  (  Harris  on  injurious  insects). 

In  Italy,  the  branches  of  the  Morus  multicaulis  are  perforated  by  the  Mpate  sexdtntatc. 
Many  other  species  commit  great  havoc  in  forests,  perforating  the  wood  and  burrowing 
beneath  the  bark,  by  which  the  circulation  of  the  sap  is  cut  off. 

Dr.  Haldeman  remarks  in  a  manuscript  note,  that  some  strips  of  hickory  which  he  had 
employed  to  confine  rose  plants  were  destroyed  in  two  years.  The  hickory  is  a  tree  that 
suffers  much  from  the  attacks  of  boring  insects  ;  and  hoop-poles  made  of  hickorj-  saplings 
are  frequently  destroyed,  or  rendered  useless  in  a  few  months.  Barrel  hoops,  made  of  this 
excellent  material,  are  often  attacked,  so  that  much  inconvenience,  if  not  actual  loss,  may 
be  the  result.  The  proper  remedy  seems  to  be  the  immersion  of  the  poles  in  water,  or 
storing  them  in  cellars,  during  the  deposition  of  the  eggs.  The  latter  mode  is  sometimes 
adopted,  but  the  former  would  have  the  advantage  of  destroying  young  grubs  already 
deposited. 


94  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

From  the  great  and  increasing  value  of  the  forests  in  New- York  and  Pennsylvania,  it 
becomes  necessary  to  direct  attention  to  these  destroyers,  that  proper  care  may  be  taken  to 
prevent  their  increase.  Although  living  trees  are  subject  to  attack,  these  insects  have  the 
peculiarity  of  flocking  to  recently  cut  timber.  On  this  account,  infected  trees  should  be 
cut  down  and  the  bark  subsequently  removed  and  burnt,  and  the  wood  cut  up  and  applied 
as  fuel,  turned  into  charcoal,  or  immersed  in  water.  Some  European  authors  contend  that 
healthy  trees  are  not  attacked  by  these  insects ;  and  that  when  the  attack  has  been  com- 
menced, it  is  an  indication  that  the  tree  is  in  a  state  of  incipient  decline. 


» 


CHAPTER    \II. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  (  Continued). 

HETEROMERA. 

This  division  comprehends  those  insects  in  which  the  foxu'  anterior  tarsi  are  five-jointed, 
while  the  posterior  pair  »re  only  foui'-jointed.  They  are  mostly  vegetable  feeders,  some 
preferring  leaves,  others  flowers,  and  others  farinaceous  matters.  There  is  great  diversity 
in  their  color  and  habitat  :  some  are  beautifully  ornamented,  others  dark  and  gloomy  : 
some  prefer  the  light  of  day,  and  are  found  upon  the  wing  sporting  in  the  beams  of  the 
sun ;  others  inhabit  dark  and  gloomy  places,  retiring  from  day,  and  abiding  in  obscure 
and  unfrequented  situations.  In  these  respects,  however,  we  find  elsewhere  similar  ar- 
rangements and  diversities. 

The  Heteromera  are  subdivided  by  Westwood  into  two  sections  or  tribes,  the  first  of 
which  he  calls  Trachelia.  The  head  in  this  tribe  is  considerably  dilated  behind  the  eyes, 
and  then  narrowed  again,  so  that  the  thorax  does  not  equal  the  broadest  part  of  the  head. 
The  body  of  the  insect  is  also  of  a  .soft  consistence,  and  the  elytra  are  flexible,  and  folded 
or  overlapped  on  their  inner  margin.  The  Cantharis  is  an  example  of  this  subdivision,  as 
to  the  character  of  the  elytra  and  the  softness  of  body  and  gay  color  of  the  insect. 

The  other  great  tribe  or  subdivision  is  the  Atrachelia.  In  this  tribe  the  thorax  has  the 
width  of  the  head,  the  posterior  part  of  which  is  often  concealed  by  the  thorax.  The  habits 
of  the  insects  also  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  the  first  subdivision  :  they  appear  in 
dull  colors,  rarely  fly  by  day,  and  seek  concealment  in  darkness.  Among  the  Atrachelia 
we  find  the  Genera  Blaps  and  Tenebrio. 

The  Trachelia  comprise  the  Notoxida?,  Pyrochroidse,  Lagriidse,  Horiidse,  Mordellidje. 
Cantharids?,  Salpingidse,  ffidemeridpe,  and  Melandryidsp  ;  in  all  nine  families. 

Tlie  Atrachelia  embrace  only  six  families,  namely,  the  Cistelidse,  Helopidse,  Tene- 
brionidse,  Diaperidse,  Blapsidse  and  Pimeliidse. 


^ 


96  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 


Pyrocliroidae. 


Body  narrowed  in  front,  and  flattened ;  neck  distinct ;  thorax  suborbicular ;  antenna- 
rather  longer  than  the  head  and  thorax,  pectinated  in  the  males. 

•  Dendroides  canadensis  (Lt.).  ( Plate  xxv,  fig.  2.) 

Eyes  very  large,  nearly  meeting  above  and  below,  terminating  sharj^ly  beneath  and  rounded 
above  :  thorax  rufous  and  punctured  :  elytra  chestnut  brown,  glossy,  beautifully 
punctui-ed  and  long,  and  larger  than  the  abdomen  ;  antennse  distantly  pectinated. 

Genus  PYROCHROA  (Fab.).     Cantharis  (Lin.). 
Antennse  rather  longer  than  the  head  and  thorax,  pectinated  in  the  males  :  eyes  distant. 

PyROcimoA  FLABELLATA.  (  Plate  xxv,  fig.  4.) 

Eyes  in  the  males  distant,  1)ut  large  :  antenna;  pectinated  :  head  and  thorax  rufous  :  elytra 

black  or  dark  brown,  finely  punctured,  and  extending  beyond  the  abdomen  ;  thighs 

banded  with  rufous  at  both  extremities  ;  anteunte  black,  rufous  at  base  ;  last  segment 

of  the  abdomen  brownish. 


Cantharidae. 

The  cnntharides,  or  blistering  flies  used  in  medicine,  are  represented  amongst  us  by  the 
allied  genus  Epicauta,  having  the  same  property  of  raising  blisters.  They  are  slender 
soft-bodied  insects,  with  slender  legs,  the  prothorax  narrowed  before,  and  the  head  large. 
They  are  at  times  abundant  upon  potalo  vines,  whence  they  have  acquired  the  name  of 
potato  fly-,  particularly  the  Epicauta  vittata  :  it  attacks  the  potato,  convolvulus,  and  other 
plants,  from  June  to  September.  It  may,  with  the  other  species,  be  collected  with  a  muslin 
bag  having  the  mouth  attached  to  a  hoop ;  thrown  into  water  to  prevent  escape,  and 
subsequently  scalded  and  dried  for  the  use  of  the  druggist. 

Epicauta  vittata.  (  Plate  v,  fig.  14.) 

Color  black  :  third  joint  of  the  antenna  longest  :  front  of  the  head  marked  liy  two  black 
kidneyform  spots  :  thorax  furnished  with  a  small  labial  tubercle,  and  marked  with 
three  fuscous  strips,  the  two  lateral  ones  obscure  ;  the  middle  of  the  thorax  promi- 
nent. Elytra  margined  all  around  with  fuscous  border,  and  marked  in  the  middle  with 
a  stripe  of  the  same  color  :  thighs  fuscous  at  the  articulation  ;  lower  extremities  and 
tibife  and  tarsi  black.     Length  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    CANTHARIDjE,    CISTELIDiE   AND   DIAPERIDiE.  W 

Genus  CANTHARIS  (Geoff.).     LYTTA(Fab.). 
Body  narrow ;  wings  two  ;  elytra  elongate ;  last  joint  of  the  maxillary  palpi  subovate. 

Cantharis  cinerea. 
Insect  elongated,  narrow,  cinereous,  and  covered  with  short  close-pressed  hairs  :  antenn* 
dark  brown. 
The  whole  insect  has  a  hoary  appearance. 

Cantharis  atrata.  (  Plate  xxv,  fig.  6.) 

Insect  jet  black  :  legs,  body  and  thorax  shining  :  elytra  rather  dull. 

Sometimes  I  have  found  great  numbers  of  this  insect  devouring  the  flowers  of  the  china 
aster,  in  the  months  of  August  and  September. 

Genus  MELOE  (  Linn.). 
Wings  none :  elytra  short,  lapping  within ;  antennse  various. 

Meloe  angusticollis. 
Insect  steel-blue  :  head  and  thorax  punctured ;  two  ovoid  spaces  on  each  side  of  the 
thorax,  smooth.  Elytra  sculptured  :  the  two  last  and  part  of  the  third  ring  of  the 
abdomen  naked. 

Cistelidae. 

Genus  CISTELA  (  Fab.).     Chrysomela  (Linn.). 
'  Orate  :  thorax  semicircular ;  mandibles  bifid ;  maxillary  palpi  subsecuriform '  (  West- 
wood). 

CiSTELA  BREvis(Say). 
Brown,  widest  near  the  middle  ;  thorax  terminated  behind  and  laterally  by  a  sharp  angle  : 
elytra  punctured  and  slightly  ridged ;  legs  rather  long,  and  paler  than  the  body. 


Diaperidae. 

Genus  BOLETOPHAGUS  (Fab.).     Eledona  (Lat.). 
Obtuse,  ovate,  convex  :  thorax  crenated ;  antennae  curved,  clubbed  and  serrated. 

[  Agricultueal  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  13 


98  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

BoLETOPHAGUs  coRNUTus.  (  Plate  V,  fig.  12.) 

Brown,  scabrous  :  elytra  furnished  with  three  rows  of  tubercles.  Male  thorax  furnished 
with  two  curled  horns  leaning  forward,  yellow,  villose  on  their  under  sides  ;  labrum 
furnished  with  two  pointed  upright  horns,  or  pointed  tubercles  :  thorax  of  the  female 
furnished  with  two  short  notched  tubercles ;  margin  of  the  thorax  dilated,  tuberculate 
and  serrate. 


Helopidae. 


The  colors  of  this  family  of  insects  are  rather  lively  :  their  elytra  are  free,  and  the  wings 
are  usually  simple.  The  larvae  are  found  in  wood  or  under  the  bark  of  trees  :  some,  in  the 
perfect  state,  frequent  umbelliferous  flowers. 

PiTHO   AMERICANUS  (  KuOch).  (  Plate  XXV,   fig.  9.) 

Brown,  darker  above,  and  slightly  brassy  or  submetallic ;  head  and  thorax  darker  than 
the  elytra. 


Tenebrionidae,  Blapsidae,  and  Pimeliidae. 

Anatomical  characteristics.  Tarsi  and  tarsal  claws  entire  ;  sides  of  the  head  parallel ; 
antennae  rather  short,  moniliform,  and  inserted  beneath  the  widened  margins  of  the  head  ; 
mandibles  short,  triangular,  tips  bifid ;  internal  lobe  of  the  maxilla  often  armed  with  a 
corneous  tooth ;  eyes  oblong,  and  only  slightly  elevated. 

General  habits.  These  families  possess  many  similar  habits  :  they  avoid  the  light, 
and  live  in  damp  places  in  cellars,  basements,  stables,  etc.,  or  upon  the  ground  and  under 
stones  in  sandy  places.  The  term  tenehrio  is  derived  from  the  latin,  signifying  darkness 
(  West  wood).  The  colors  are  all  dark  brown  or  black. 

In  the  TENEBRioNiDiE,  the  body  is  oblong  ovate  and  depressed,  or  supplied  with  short 
legs  ;  elytra  free ;  thorax  square,  and  the  head  as  broad  behind  as  the  base  of  the  elytra  : 
the  palpi  are  enlarged  at  the  tip  ;  mentum  narrowed  at  the  base. 

In  the  Blapsid^  :  Elytra  soldered  together  ;  wings  obsolete ;  legs  of  moderate  length, 
hence  the  body  is  less  depressed  than  in  the  former  family  ;  palpi  three-jointed ;  man- 
dibles bifid  ;  internal  lobe  of  the  maxilla  armed  with  a  claw. 

In  the  PiMELiiD^,  the  palpi  filiform,  and  terminal  joint  rather  dilated  than  hatchet- 
shaped  as  in  the  two  preceding  families ;  maxilla  concealed  in  a  large  mentum,  which  is 
aa  wide  behind  as  before. 


FAMILY   TENEBRIONID^.  99 

Genus  TENEBRIO. 
Body  narrow  elongate  ;  thorax  quadrate  j  antennae  filiform  and  eleven-jointed,  basal  joint 
ovate,  second  small ;  palpi  unequal ;  legs  slender ;  anterior  tibiae  curved,  minutely 
spurred  at  the  apex  ;  tarsi  with  entire  joints  heteromerous. 
The  Tenebrio  resides  in  mills,  granaries,  meal-tubs,  etc.,  upon  the  contents  of  which  it 
subsists. 

Tenebrio  molitor.  (  Plate  xxxi,  fig.  10.) 

Color  black  or  brown  :  thorax  darker  than  the  elytra ;  beneath  dark  fuscous.  Head  thick- 
ly punctured ;  thorax  impressed  on  each  side  of  the  median  line  j  elytra  obscurely 
streaked  and  punctured  ;  legs  shining  reddish. 
Common  in  bakehouses,  meal-tubs,  etc. 

Tenebrio  obscurus. 
Color  black,  or  dark  brown  and  dull ;  beneath  brown, 

Tenebrio  curvipes. 
Color  black  or  very  dark  brown ;  lighter  beneath.  Tibiae  much  curved. 

The  mealworm  is  a  hard  smooth  shining  cylindrical  larva  about  an  inch  long,  which 
lives  upon  flour,  meal  or  bran,  and  is  frequently  very  destructive  to  biscuits  on  shipboard. 
It  is  said  to  pass  two  years  in  the  larva  state,  when  it  appears  as  the  Tenehrio  molitor  found 
in  Europe  and  America,  and  probably  exported  to  other  countries.  In  Em-ope,  the  larvse 
are  raised  in  quantities  to  feed  nightingales  and  other  cage-birds.  It  is  usually  abundant  in 
grain-mills  and  granaries. 

Upis  pennsylvanica  (Dj.).  (Plate  xxv,  fig.  8.) 

Dark  brown.  Elytra  finely  punctured  in  nine  equal  lines. 


<2e 


CHAPTER    VIII, 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  (Continued). 


PSEUDOTETRAMERA. 

BrncMdse. 

Genus  BRUCHUS  (Linn.). 
Antennae  filiform,  slightly  and  gradually  tMckened  at  the  tips  :  elytra  oblong  quadrate. 

Bkuchus  pisi.  (Plate  ii,  fig.  3.) 

Insect  small  and  hau-y,  ovoid,  gray  :  head  black ;  thorax  gray  or  mottled,  with  a  central 
posterior  whitish  spot ;  elytra  gray  or  mottled,  with  small  inconspicuous  dots  or  spots 
posteriorly;  posterior  abdomen  with  two  black  oval  spots,  and  two  just  beneath  the 
ends  of  the  wings ;  scales  black. 
The  female  peabug  deposits  its  eggs  in  the  tender  peapod,  when  the  pea  is  soft  and  im- 
mature ;  and  when  the  larva  is  hatched,  it  feeds  upon  the  matter  with  which  it  is  sur- 
rounded, until  it  has  attained  its  full  growth,  when  it  bores  a  gallery  to  the  surface,  merely 
leaving  the  surface  skin  untouched,  ready  to  be  pushed  off  by  the  head  of  the  perfect 
insect  when  ready  to  make  its  exit  in  April.  An  infinity  of  the  young  grubs  are  destroyed 
in  preparing  green  peas  for  the  table ;  but  whether  the  epicure  finds  any  difference  in  the 
taste  of  pure  and  infected  vegetables,  we  are  not  informed. 

Seed  peas  more  than  a  year  old  do  not  retain  the  living  insects,  and  should  therefore  be 
preferred  in  planting  new  districts  :  if  these  cannot  be  had,  the  seed  may  be  immersed 
in  scalding  water  for  a  short  time ;  a  process  which  does  not  appear  to  destroy  the  ger- 
minating power  of  leguminous  vegetables,  if  carefully  performed.  This  is  proved  by  the 
fact  that  seeds  of  the  locust  tree  will  grow  in  a  single  season,  if  boiling  water  be  poured 
over  them  and  allowed  to  stand  until  it  has  become  cold. 


GENUS   CALANDRA.  101 

Genus  CALANDRA. 
'Antennae  geniculated  and  nine-jointed,  inserted  near  the  base  of  the  rostrum  :  the  club 
is  biarticulate  ;  rostrum  elongate,  rounded,  slightly  deflexed  and  bent ;  thorax  elon- 
gate, narrowed  in  front,  depressed,  the  base  and  apex  truncate  ;  elytra  shorter  than 
the  abdomen ;  body  subdepressed ;  legs  rather  short ;  tibisB  armed  with  an  acute 
spur  J  tarsi  reflexed,  the  penultimate  joint  slightly  bilobed'  (Stephens). 

Calandra  granaria  (  Clairv.).  ( Plate  ii,  fig.  1.) 

Color  pale  ferruginous  :  head  finely  punctate ;  thorax  strongly  punctate ;  elytra  deeply 
striate  and  punctate  ;  legs  ferruginous. 

This  insect  is  an  Eiu'opean  species,  but  has  been  introduced  here  in  samples  of  wheat 
received  from  France.  Many  bottles  of  sample  wheat  were  entirely  destroyed,  although 
perfectly  closed  so  that  nothing  could  get  in  from  without.  It  is  called  the  Com  weevil. 

I  suppose  this  introduction  of  this  insect,  which  was  accompanied  with  another,  the 
Silvanus  surinamensis,  is  only  a  single  instance  of  its  occurrence  in  this  way.  When  it  was 
observed  that  the  specimen  grain  was  destroyed  by  these  imported  insects,  Mr.  J.  E.  Gavit 
volunteered  to  describe  and  illustrate  the  insects  for  publication  in  the  Transactions  of  the 
Agricultural  Society  of  this  State.  I  am  permitted  to  republish  this  valuable  account, 
fui-nished  by  the  gentleman  referred  to  ;  as  too  much  publicity  cannot  be  given  to  a  matter 
so  interesting  to  the  wheat-growers  of  this  country. 

Mr.  Gavit,  in  his  communication  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society,  states,  that  '  in  the 
specimens  of  wheat  furnished  me,  I  find  two  beetles  :  one  the  true  corn  weevil  of  Europe, 
Calandra  granaria  (Clairville)  ;  the  other,  Silvanus  surinamensis,  the  weevil  most  com- 
monly found  infesting  the  granaries  of  this  State. 

'  The  former  of  these  received  the  name  of  Curculio  granarius  from  Linnjeus,  but  is  now 
called  Calandra  granaria.  It  is  somewhat  depressed,  and  varies  in  color  from  a  deep  pitch 
to  a  chesnut  tint.  The  head  is  semi-globose,  produced  anteriorly  into  a  longish  smooth 
cylindrical  snout,  which  is  shortest  and  stoutest  in  the  males  :  it  is  slightly  curved,  and 
sparingly  punctured  with  two  lines  extending  almost  from  the  base  of  the  head  to  the 
apex,  forming  two  deep  channels  before  the  eyes,  where  the  rostrum  is  dilated.  Eyes  black, 
vertical,  ovate,  finely  granulated  and  depressed.  The  antennse  are  nine-jointed  :  the  basal 
joint  being  long,  stout  and  clavate,  it  forms  an  angle  with  the  remainder ;  the  terminal 
ones  forming  an  oval,  conical,  little  shining  club,  pubescent  at  the  tip.  Thorax  twice  as 
broad  as  the  head,  oval,  a  little  truncated  :  the  surface  is  coarsely  punctm-ed  with  oval 
points.  Scutellum  minute  and  oval.  Wing-covers  exactly  equal  to  the  thorax  and  head, 
being  ovate-truncate,  and  not  covering  the  apex  of  the  abdomen  :  there  are  nine  deep 
punctured  channels  down  each,  producing  short  pale  bristles ;  and  the  two  raised  furrows 
on  each  side  of  the  suture  have  a  line  of  long  punctures.  The  six  legs  are  punctured. 


102  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Strong  and  stout,  especially  the  anterior  and  posterior  pairs.  The  thighs  are  stout  :  they 
all  have  a  hook  or  claw  at  their  extremities.  The  tarsi  are  rellexed  and  four-jointed,  spongy 
beneath,  basal  joint  subclavate,  second  ovate,  third  broader  and  slightly  bilobed,  fourth 
clavate  and  furnished  with  two  minute  claws.     Length  nearly  two  lines. 

'  This  insect  seems  early  to  have  attracted  the  attention  of  naturalists.  Leuwenhoek 
closely  observed  its  economy,  and  his  observations  were  published  as  far  back  as  1687 ; 
but  to  Olivier,  however,  are  we  indebted  for  the  most  accurate  and  full  account  of  its 
habits  published  in  the  Encyclopedic  Methodique.  All  subsequent  writers  appear  to  have 
based  their  descriptions  on  his  observations.  No  insect  is  more  formidable  to  man  than  this 
little  pest,  since  it  attacks  the  principal  basis  of  his  food ;  and  they  are  sometimes  so  nu- 
merous in  a  heap  of  grain,  that  they  destroy  it  altogether,  leaving  nothing  but  the  chaff. 
After  the  sexes  have  paired,  the  female  makes  a  hole  in  the  grain  of  wheat  with  her  ro- 
strum, and  deposits  an  egg.  These  holes  are  not  perpendicular  to  the  surface  of  the  grains, 
but  oblique,  or  even  parallel,  and  are  stopped  with  a  species  of  gluten  of  the  same  color 
as  the  corn.  Olivier  says  there  is  but  one  to  each  grain  :  I,  however,  have  repeatedly 
found  two,  one  in  each  lobe,  and  these  larvse  as  plump  and  well  conditioned  as  those  who 
had  the  good  fortune  of  a  kernel  to  themselves.  From  the  egg  is  hatched  in  due  time  a 
small  footless  grub  (fig.  6),  which,  during  its  growth,  eats  out  the  entire  contents  of  the 
grain,  and,  when  lodged  in  the  grain,  is  perfectly  sheltered  from  all  injuries  from  the  air, 
because  its  excrements  serve  to  close  the  aperture  ;  so  there  is  no  use  in  stirring  the  grain, 
as  nothing  can  incommode  it.  It  is  very  white  ;  has  the  form  of  an  elongated  soft  worm, 
and  the  body  is  composed  of  nine  prominent  rounded  rings  :  it  is  nearly  a  line  in  length, 
with  a  yellow  rounded  head  provided  with  organs  (fig.  c)  proper  for  gnawing  the  grain. 
When  the  larva  has  eaten  all  the  flour,  and  is  arrived  at  its  full  growth,  it  remains  in  the 
envelope  of  the  grain,  where  it  is  metamorphosed  into  a  nymph  (fig.  a),  of  a  clear  white, 
and  transparent  :  the  proboscis  and  antennae  can  readily  be  distinguished  ;  but  it  gives  no 
sign  of  life,  except  when  distm-bed,  and  then  but  a  slight  movement  of  the  abdomen. 
Eight  or  ten  days  after,  the  perfect  insect  eats  its  way  out.  In  general,  that  which  serves 
as  nutriment  to  insects  in  their  larva  state  is  unsuited  to  the  perfect  form.  To  this  the 
calandra  is  an  exception  ;  for  scarcely  has  it  issued  from  its  nymph  state,  than  it  proceeds 
to  pierce  the  envelope  of  the  grain,  to  establish  itself  anew  therein.  I  have  frequently 
watched  the  perfect  insect  feeding  upon  the  farina  of  the  grain,  having  pierced  the  skin 
and  buried  the  proboscis  to  the  base.  It  is  often  found,  however,  lodged  in  the  interior  of 
the  grain  (fig.  c)  ;  and  its  black  color  does  not  announce  its  recent  issuing  from  its  state  of 
nymph,  since  it  is  of  a  straw  color  at  the  time  when  it  has  just  left  its  sheath  :  neverthe- 
less we  must  doubtless  believe  that  it  occasions  much  less  injury  in  this  state,  than  in  that 
of  the  larva. 

'  The  Calandra  has  no  sooner  issued  from  its  envelope  of  nymph,  than,  like  the  majority 
of  insects,  it  is  in  a  state  of  pairing  for  the  reproduction  of  its  species,  and  this  act  ever 


GENUS    CALANDRA.  lOJ 

bears  strict  relation  to  a  certain  degree  of  heat  :  if  it  be  under  50°  Fahr.,  it  is  insufficient 
to  afiFord  them  force  or  vigor  to  desire  copulation  :  if  the  weather  be  cold,  they  remain  in 
a  lethargic  state,  and  are  incapable  of  injury  ;  Lf  warm,  they  pair  very  frequently.  The 
deposition  of  eggs  commences  sooner  or  later,  according  to  the  season  or  climate  :  the 
female  deposits  them  in  all  months,  when  the  temperature  is  up  to  a  suitable  degree, 
ceasing  to  lay  when  the  mornings  grow  cold. 

'  From  the  moment  of  pairing  to  the  appearing  of  the  perfect  calandra,  there  is  an  in- 
terval of  forty  or  forty-five  days.  By  this  we  may  see  that  a  year  must  produce  many 
generations,  which  multiply  still  more  in  very  hot  climates.  According  to  a  table  for  the 
calculation  of  their  increase,  it  results  that  the  sum  total  of  each  generation  added  to- 
gether is  6045,  proceeding  from  a  single  pair  during  five  months,  from  the  end  of  April 
until  the  middle  of  September,  while  the  mercury  continues  above  65°  Fahr.  We  are 
therefore  no  longer  astonished  if  enormous  heaps  of  grain  are  destroyed  by  these  insects. 
The  injured  kernels  may  be  known  by  a  very  simple  process  :  if  several  handfuls  of  the 
grain  be  thrown  iato  water,  those  will  swim  upon  the  surface  which  have  been  robbed  of 
their  farinaceous  substance  by  the  destroyer. 

'  It  is  not  upon  the  sm-face  of  corn  heaps,  but  some  inches  beneath,  that  we  find  these 
insects  ;  and  there,  unless  dislodged  by  shaking  with  a  shovel  or  sieve,  they  will  remain 
so  long  as  the  weather  continues  warm,  living,  pairing,  and  depositing  their  eggs.  When 
the  mornings  begin  to  freshen,  all,  both  young  and  old,  retire  to  clefts  of  walls  and  the 
flaws  of  wood  and  floors.  They  are  sometimes  found  behind  tapestry,  chimnies,  in  fine 
every  place  affiirding  a  warm  retreat. 

'  It  has  been  supposed  seriously  that  these  insects  remain  lethargic  during  the  whole 
winter,  and  return  in  spring  to  their  abandoned  grain-heaps,  recommencing  the  deposition 
of  their  eggs  ;  the  cold  incapacitating  them  for  the  exercise  of  the  fimctions  necessary  for 
the  multiplication  and  preservation  of  their  species.  Based  upon  the  knowledge  of  this 
fact,  is  the  substitution  of  cold  as  a  remedy.  It  has  therefore  been  proposed  to  have  a 
ventilator,  the  effect  of  which  would  be  to  keep  in  a  granary  a  degree  of  air  sufficiently 
cold  to  reduce  these  insects  to  the  above  lethargic  state.  A  general  and  constant  rule  among 
insects  is,  that  those  which  have  paired  perish  shortly  after,  and  do  not  pass  the  winter 
except  in  the  egg  or  larva  state.  It  is  doubtless  rare  that  even  those  which  have  not  been 
exhausted  by  fulfilling  the  intentions  of  nature,  can  survive  the  winter  rigors.  Mr.  Gat- 
lord,  however,  in  his  prize  essay  published  in  the  Society's  Transactions  for  the  year  1843, 
says,  of  some  specimens  of  wheat  that  he  had  received  from  the  Patent  Office,  in  which  he 
found  weevils,  that  "selecting  some  pure  flint  wheat  kernels,  all  perfectly  sound,  we 
enclosed  a  dozen  of  these  weevils  with  the  wheat  in  a  large  phial  to  prevent  their  escape. 
The  phial  was  wrapped  in  paper,  and  placed  where  it  would  not  be  disturbed  except  for 
examination.  Opening  it  occasionally  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  I  found  my  weevils, 
with  the  exception  of  one  or  two,  all  living,  and  appearing  to  enjoy  themselves  much  on 


104  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

the  wheat,  a  large  portion  of  the  kernels  of  which  they  had  hollowed  out."  This  would 
imply  that  they  survive  two  seasons  at  least,  and  those  I  have  in  my  possession  sustain  this 
assumption. 

'  Many  and  various  modes  of  exterminating  this  foe  to  man  have  been  tried.  We  first 
hear  of  fumigations  with  herbs  of  strong  and  disagreeable  odor ;  but  this  seems  useless,  as 
it  does  not  incommode  the  insect,  while  the  grain  receives  a  fetid  and  disgusting  scent. 
The  fumes  of  sulphur  are  pronounced  equally  inefficient.  All  these  fumigations  are  still 
less  adapted  to  the  destruction  of  the  larvae,  as  the  smoke  cannot  penetrate  among  the 
grain,  and  their  perfectly  closed  envelope  secures  them  from  all  such  annoyance.  Olivier 
recommends  the  following,  as  one  of  the  most  eifectual  and  least  expensive  modes  of 
destroying  them.  At  the  return  of  spring,  when  the  calandrge  are  observed  to  spread  in 
the  heaps  of  winter-stored  grain,  it  will  be  necessary  to  form  small  heaps  of  five  and  six 
measiu-es,  and  place  them  at  a  suitable  distance  from  the  large  heap  :  this  stir  with  a 
shovel.  The  insects,  who  are  singularly  fond  of  tranquility,  seek  to  escajie,  and,  seeing 
another  heajD  of  grain  alongside,  they  take  refuge  therein.  When  all  are  thus  collected, 
boiling  water  is  brought  and  poured  over  them,  stirring  it  from  time  to  time  with  the  shovel 
to  secure  its  penetration  through  the  grain  while  hot.  All  these  insects  then  die,  being 
burned  or  sviffocated  at  the  moment.  The  grain  is  then  spread  for  the  purpose  of  drying, 
and  afterwards  sifted  to  sej^arate  the  dead  insects. 

'  It  is  necessary  to  perform  this  operation  early  in  the  spring  before  the  deposition  of 
eggs,  the  generation  existing  being  only  dangerous  in  giving  birth  to  its  successors.  This 
method  may  be  performed  on  a  large  scale  as  well  as  a  small  one,  without  occasioning  any 
considerable  expense. 

<  Other  experiments  have  proved  that  a  sudden  heat  of  75"  Fahr.  is  sufficient  to  destroy 
these  insects,  without  burning  them  ;  and  a  simple  efficacious  method  is  mentioned  in  the 
Tennessee  Agricultmlst,  quoted  by  Mr.  Gavlord  in  his  essay.  "  If  a  hogshead,  with  one 
head  removed,  be  inverted  over  a  fire  until  thoroughly  heated,  and  then  immediately  filled 
with  wheat  and  reheaded,  all  weevils  in  the  grain  will  be  killed,  and  the  grain  may  be 
kept  in  safety  till  wanted  for  use." 

'A  gentleman  in  Madeira  has  established  a  heated  room,  with  hot  water  pipes,  in  which 
he  receives  as  many  as  eight  hundred  bags  of  grain  at  a  time  :  these  become  heated  through 
at  about  135°  Fahr. ;  and  the  wheat,  when  resitted,  is  perfectly  cleaned,  making  quite  as 
good  bread  as  before,  the  seed  also  losing  nothing  of  its  vitality  by  this  process.* 

'  The  French  "  lay  upon  the  grain,  fleeces  of  wool  which  have  not  been  scoured  :  the 
oily  matter  attracts  the  insects  among  the  wool,  when  they  soon  die,  from  what  cause  is 
not  exactly  known."f 


•  Transactions  of  the  Eotomological  Society  of  London,  Vol.  1.  t  London  Lit.  Gazette,  July  1,  1825. 


GENUS   CALANDRA.  105 

'  One  essential  point  in  all  storehouses  for  grain  is,  undoubtedly,  fVequent  whitewashing 
and  thorough  ventilation,  as  there  appears  to  be  much  testimony  corroborative  oi"  this  great 
preventive  to  the  ravages  of  this  minute  destroyer. 

'  A  correspondent  of  the  London  Mark-lane  Express,  in  speaking  of  the  corn  weevil 
says  :  "  Some  years  ago,  we  found  a  house  overrun  with  weevils  :  after  numberless  at- 
tempts to  destroy  them,  we  were  led  to  observe  that  they  were  almost  entirely  on  the  south 
wall  (our  rainy  side),  and  that  they  appeared  to  breed  in  incredible  numbers  in  an  un- 
usually damp  spot  or  corner.  Taking  the  hint,  we  cased  the  wall  on  the  outside  with  slate, 
and  made  the  house  in  every  respect  perfectly  dry,  and  in  a  short  time  the  weevils  died 
off  and  disappeared.  Since  adopting  this  precaution,  we  have  not  the  least  trouble,  and 
have  only  been  reminded  that  such  an  insect  exists  when  an  accidental  spot  of  dam})  has 
appeared  to  generate  them  again.  We  think  ourselves,  therefore,  entitled  to  say,  that  these 
insects  require  moisture  ;  and  that  if  the  grain  and  granary,  as  both  ought  always  to  be, 
are  dry  and  healthy,  weevils  will  not  long  remain.  This  plan  bears  the  merit  of  costing 
less  than  nothing,  because  the  injury  that  wheat  sustains  directly  from  damp  is  more  than 
equivalent  to  the  expense  of  keeping  premises  dry,  leaving  its  indirect  influence  in  the 
generation  of  weevils  out  of  the  question."  ' 

SiLVANus  suRiNAMENsis.  (  Plate  ii,  fig.  3.) 

The  following  is  Mr.  Gavit's  account  of  this  insect  : 

'  The  insect  accompanying  the  Calandm,  and  usually  found  in  granaries  in  this  country, 
is  named  Silvanus  surinamensis,  the  corn  silvanus.  This  insect  was  named  by  Linn^eus, 
being  sent  to  him  from  Surinam  by  one  of  his  pupils.  rABRicius,  from  its  infesting  stores 
and  warehouses,  called  it  Jinobitimfnimentariu7n,  and  subsequently  Dermestes  sexdentatum, 
from  the  spines  on  the  side  of  the  thorax.  Linnjeus's  name,  however,  has  the  right  of 
priority. 

'  S.  surinamensis  is  only  one  line  and  a  quarter  long,  and  very  narrow  :  it  is  flat,  of  a 
rusty  brown  color,  thickly  and  coarsely  punctured,  and  sparingly  clothed  with  short  de- 
pressed yellow  hairs.  The  head  is  large  and  subtrigonate  :  the  nose  appears  truncated, 
but  it  is  semicircular  in  front,  and  conceals  the  mouth,  which  is  composed  of  an  upper 
and  under  lip,  and  two  little  horny  jaws,  maxillse  and  palpi.  The  antennte  stout,  straight 
and  pubescent,  nearly  as  long  as  the  head  and  thorax,  and  eleven-jointed ;  the  basal  joint 
stoutisli,  the  terminal  ones  forming  an  elongated  club  (fig./).  The  eyes  are  black,  small, 
and  coarsely  granulated.  The  thorax  is  perfectly  oval,  and  a  little  wider  than  the  head  at 
the  middle.  There  are  three  ridges  down  the  back,  forming  two  broad  channels,  and  on 
each  margin  are  six  teeth.  Scutellum  minute ;  the  wing-covers  long,  elliptical,  and  broader 
than  the  thorax,  with  four  slightly  elevated  lines  down  each  :  between  them  are  double 
rows  of  punctures,  and  a  series  of  little  shining  yellow  bristles  :  beneath  are  two  ample 

[  Agricultural  Report — Vol.  v.]  14 


106  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

wings.  Legs  short ;  thighs  stout ;  shanks  clavate  ;  tarsi  five-jointed,  three  first  joints  short, 
fourth  exceedingly  minute,  fifth  clavate  and  terminated  by  two  small  claws. 

'  The  larva  (fig.  g)  is  a  little  depressed  yellowish  white  worm  :  it  is  composed  of  a 
tolerably  large  head,  with  two  pointed  jaws  and  two  little  horns,  and  of  twelve  transverse 
segments ;  the  tail  is  somewhat  conical,  and  it  has  six  conical  articulated  legs. 

'  The  pupa  (fig.  h)  is  of  the  same  color ;  the  head  is  bent  down  j  the  thorax  is  sub- 
orbicular,  with  three  ridges  ;  the  elytra  wrapped  over  the  sides,  and  striated  :  abdomen 
with  distinct  segments. 

'  Mr.  Curtis,  from  whom  the  above  description  is  derived,  says  that  "  this  insect  appears 
to  be  naturalized  in  England  and  Scotland,  lying  under  the  bark  of  trees*."  I  have  found 
it  in  sugar,  and  in  boxes  containing  dried  figs  in  great  numbers.  It  appears  to  be  spread 
all  over  the  habitable  globe,  probably  carried  in  vessels  with  grain  and  dried  fruits. 

'  This  is  the  insect,  as  I  am  informed  by  that  excellent  entomologist.  Dr.  Fitch,  that 
infested  the  mill  of  Mr.  Rich  of  Shoreham  (Vermont),  mentioned  in  the  Cultivator  of 
December  1846,  on  which  Mr.  R.  tried  various  experiments  of  fumigation,  but  found 
nothing  so  satisfactory  as  hot  water,  whitewashing,  and  general  cleanliness.  A  correspon- 
dent of  the  same  journal,  in  noticing  Mr.  Rich's  experiments,  speaks  of  a  remedy  he  never 
found  to  fail  :  placing  sassafras  root  among  the  grain  infested  by  them.  He  is  evidently 
dealing  with  the  rice  weevil,  Calandra  oryza  (LiNN.a:us),  an  insect  exceedingly  like  the 
grain  weevil  in  habits  and  appearances.' 

Attelabidse. 

Brenthides. 

Genus  BRENTHUS  (  Fab.). 
Thorax  ovoid  ;  body  rounded  or  subcylindrical ;  antennfe  inserted  at  the  base  of  the  snout, 
just  before  the  eyes.  In  the  males  the  mandibles  are  strong  and  prominent  :  the  fe- 
male is  provided  with  a  gently  curved  snout,  terminated  with  a  much  smaller  pair. 
Thorax  and  head  as  long  as  the  body  or  abdominal  portion. 

Brenthus  septentrionis  (Hb.).  (  Plate  ii,  fig- 4.) 

Males  with  distinct  mandibles  :  females  provided  with  an  elongated  snout.  Color  brown, 

polished.  Head  small ;  eyes  prominent ;  elytra  ridged  and  punctured  in  lines,  and 

marked  with  yellowish  patches  of  lighter  brown.     Length  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 

The  whole  insect  is  highly  polished.  A  few  years  ago,  I  found  great  numbers  of  them 

upon  a  recently  felled  black  oak  in  Canaudaigua. 

•  '  I  have  since  met  with  tliem  in  the  same  situation.' 


FAMILIES    ATTELAB1D.«    AND    CURCULIONIDvC.  107 


Attelabides. 

Genus  ATTELABUS  (Lin.). 
Broad  :  elytra  subquadrate  ;  antennae  eleven-jointed  ;  head  not  narrowed  behind  the  eyes. 

Attelabus  pubescens  ( Say). 
Yellowish  brown,  pubescent  :  body  short. 

Attelabus  similis  ( Kirby). 
Head  and  legs  steel-blue  :  body  cylindrical ;  thorax  conical,  rufous ;  elytra  rufous,  punc- 
tured. 

Attelabus  anilis. 
Small  :  head,  thorax,  abdomen,  and  extremity  of  the  elytra  steel-blue  j  elytra  with  rufous 
upon  the  shoulders. 


Curculioiiida3. 

Phjllobides. 

Genus  PHYLLOBIUS  (  ScHON.).     Curculio  (Lin.). 

Oblong-ovate,  squamose  :  tibia  rounded  ;  rostrum  short ;  two  and  three  joints  of  the 
antennae  elongate. 

Phyllobius  T.aENiATus  (Say). 
Gray  or  hoary,  acute  behind,  widest  near  the  extremity  :  elytra  punctured,  with  four 
darker  lines,  and  darker  upon  the  top  of  the  thorax. 

Genus  HYLOBIUS  (Germ.).     Curculio  (Lin.). 

Oblong-ovate,  winged  :  rostrum  much  longer  than  the  head  ;  second  antennal  joint  elon- 
gate. 

Hylobius  pales  (Hb.).  (  Plate  ii,  fig.  6.) 

Brown,  covered  wath  close-pressed  hairs  ;  hairs  gray,  in  imperfect  oblique  bands  across 
the  elytra ;  punctures  of  the  elytra  parallel ;  antennae  angulated  ;  rostrum  furnished 
with  an  antennal  groove. 


-t 


108  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Genus  PISSODES  (Germ.). 
Antennse  situated  a  little  in  advance  of  the  middle  of  the  rostrum. 

PiSSODES    STROBI. 

Brown,  with  two  hoary  patches  on  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  elytra  and  upon  the 
middle  of  the  thighs ;  somewhat  hoary  beneath. 

The  Rhyncophora,  as  they  are  termed,  constitute  a  very  extensive  group  of  coleopterous 
insects  ;  some  of  which,  as  already  seen,  have  acquired  the  popular  name  of  weevil.  Many 
species  are  destructive  to  grain  and  the  seeds  of  leguminous  plants.  The  larva  of  the  large 
Sphenophorus  palmarum  of  the  tropics  lives  in  the  trunk  of  palm  trees  ;  and  the  palmetto 
(Chamterops  palmetto)  of  our  Southern  States  is  inhabited  by  an  allied  species,  the  Spheno- 
phorus zimmermanni  of  Schcenhebr,  which  is  the  largest  member  of  the  family  known  to 
inhabit  the  United  States. 

Hylobius  pales  is  a  common  member  of  a  genus  which  destroys  pine  trees,  by  burrowing 
beneath  and  loosening  the  bark.  In  April  and  May,  it  may  be  seen  in  considerable  num- 
bers upon  wooden  fences  :  it  is  brown,  marked  irregularly  with  small  whitish  spots. 
Towards  the  south,  this  species  and  Hylobius  picivorus,  which  is  larger  and  more  robust, 
destroy  pine  forests  entirely,  leaving  the  dead  standing  or  fallen  trees  as  monuments  of 
the  mischief  which  a  small  insect  can  commit  when  sufficiently  multiplied. 

The  female  of  Pissodes  nemorensis  of  Germar,  according  to  Dr.  Harris,  pierces  the 
leading  shoot  of  the  white  pine  for  the  purpose  of  depositing  its  eggs  ;  and  although  a  pine 
tree  may  recover  by  sending  up  a  lateral  branch  in  the  vertical  direction,  it  will  require 
three  or  four  years  to  pass  through  this  process,  and  the  growth  in  consequence  be  retarded. 
This  insect  is  named  Pissodes  strobi  by  Dr.  Harris,  on  the  strength  of  a  name  given  to  it 
by  a  Mr.  Peck  in  an  agricultural  journal ;  which  of  course  can  have  no  weight,  because 
such  publications  are  unknown  or  inaccessible  to  naturalists  who  are  not  farmers,  and 
seldom  circulate  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  district  in  which  they  are  printed.  It  is  too 
much  to  expect  an  entomologist  in  London,  Calcutta,  Berlin,  Paris,  or  the  city  of  New- 
York,  to  purchase  an  extensive  series  of  expensive  volumes  to  enable  him  to  find  descrip- 
tions of  half  a  dozen  insects  said  to  be  contained  in  them,  and  which  should  have  been 
made  known  through  some  other  channel. 

Genus  BALANINUS  (Germ.).     Curculio  (Lin.). 
<  Rostrum  nearly  as  long  as  the  body,  which  is  subtriangular  :  anterior  tibise  minutely 
<  hooked  :  antennse  inserted  behind  the  rostrum '  (Stephens). 


FAMILY    CURCULIONIDiE.  109 

Balaninus  rectus  (Say).  (Plate  ii,  fig.  5.) 

Color  brown,  mottled  with  lighter  patches  upon  the  thorax  and  elytra.   Snout  longer 

somewhat  than  the  body,  and  curved  at  the  extremity,  slender,  elbowed  :  antennae 

inserted  below  the  middle,  very  slender.     Rather  less  than  \  inch  in  length. 

This  nut  weevil  inhabits  the  chinquapin  nut,  and  renders  useless  almost  the  whole  crop  : 

the  nuts,  after  being  kept  a  week,  are  always  wormy.  It  may  be  the  nascicus  of  Say,  but 

seems  to  be  smaller. 


RHYNCH.asNus  (CoNOTRACHELus)  nenuphar.     Plum  WeevU.      (  Plate  ii,  fig.  7.) 

Color  brown,  usually  dark  and  somewhat  variegated,  and  variable  in  individuals,  rough 

and  warty  :  thorax  uneven ;  elytra  interceptedly  ridged,  arranged  transversely  in 

three  rows,  the  most  prominent  in  the  middle  ;  abdomen  thick,  deep  but  short ;  thighs 

toothed. 

It  appears  from  the  numerous  accounts  that  have  been  published,  that  the  mature  insect 
may  appear  as  early  as  the  last  of  March,  and  continue  until  the  first  of  August ;  remain- 
ing, therefore,  for  a  longer  period  than  most  of  the  injurious  beetles. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  peculiar  and  interesting.  It  deposits  its  ova  in  most  fruits, 
as  the  plum,  cherry,  apple,  quince,  and  even  in  the  fruit  of  the  hickory.  It  is  also  sus- 
pected of  inserting  its  eggs  into  the  tender  limbs  of  plum  and  cherry  trees  :  it  is  not 
known,  however,  whether  those  black  excrescences  are  caused  in  this  way,  although  it  is 
not  improbable.  I  have  found  some  three  or  four  different  grubs  in  these  excrescences, 
some  of  which  belonged  to  a  dipterous  insect. 

The  plum  weevil  inserts  in  each  fruit  a  single  egg,  having  in  the  first  place  bitten  a  spot 
upon  its  surface ;  and  although  there  may  be  scores  of  the  insect  upon  the  tree,  it  is  very 
rare  to  find  more  than  one  wound  upon  a  pliun  or  cherry.  The  grub  produced  from  the 
egg  is  small,  and  destitute  of  feet ;  and  when  mature,  it  falls  to  the  ground  and  imme- 
diately biu'ies  itself  in  the  soil  :  the  next  spring  it  appears  in  the  perfect  form  at  the  usual 
time,  when  the  diiferent  kinds  of  stone  fruit  are  setting. 

Among  the  remedies  which  have  been  proposed  for  diminishing  the  numbers  of  the 
plum  weevil,  there  is  none  so  promising  as  the  practice  of  shaking  them  from  the  tree  early 
in  the  morning  and  late  in  the  evening,  collecting  them  upon  sheets,  and  committing  them 
to  the  fire  :  the  fallen  fruit  should  also  be  subjected  to  the  same  treatment.  When  the  tree 
is  suddenly  jarred,  the  insect  folds  up  its  legs,  falls  to  the  ground,  and  simulates  death.  It 
is  easily  captured,  especially  in  the  morning  and  evening,  when  it  is  stiif,  and  indisposed 
to  take  flight  or  attempt  to  escape.  Strong-scented  odors  seem  also  to  be  disagreeable  to 
this  insect,  as  it  is  rarely  found  upon  trees  situated  near  the  hogpen. 

For  a  full  history  of  this  insect  and  the  remedies  proposed  against  it,  see  Harris's 
Massachusetts  Report  on  injurious  insects,  pp.  65  -  70. 


110  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Genus  ITHYCERUS  (Sch(enherr). 

Ithycerus  koveboracensis  (Schcenherr).  (  Plate  xxxiii,  fig-1.) 

CuRCULio  NovEBOKACENsis  (Forstcr)  ; 
Rhynchites  curculionides  (Herbst)  ; 
Pachykhynchus  scHCENHERRi  (Kirbj). 
According  to  Kirbv,  this  species  belongs  to  the  Family  PACHYRHYNCHiDiE  :  its  charac- 
ters, as  giveu  by  this  distinguished  entomologist,  are  : 

'  Labrum  subemarginate ;  mandibles  armed  with  two  teeth  at  the  apex ;  labium  nearly 
square ;  palpi  conical ;  antennse  short,  inserted  into  a  roundish  lateral  cavity  near 
the  apex  of  the  rostrum  ;  joints  eleven,  scape  short,  etc.  Body  oblong  pear-shaped. 
Rostrum  nearly  as  wide  as  the  head,  subcylindrical,  a  little  wider  at  the  tip,  ridged 
between  the  eyes  and  antennee  :  eyes  round,  prominent;  prothorax  subcylindrical, 
rather  narrowest  anteriorly  ;  antepectus  not  emargiuate,  nor  lobed.  Coleoptera  oblong, 
depressed  at  the  apex  :  thighs  clulibed,  unarmed  ;  tibiie  unarmed  ;  penultimate  joint 
of  the  tarsi  bipartite.  Its  antennse  are  straight,  or  only  curved,  not  elbowed. 
'  Color  gray,  covered  with  a  whitish  pile  ;  ground  black  :  knob  of  the  antennae  brown. 
Rostrum  rather  thick,  widened  anteriorly,  having  three  ridges  between  the  eyes  and 
termination  :  two  divergent,  from  an  impressed  angular  line  between  the  eyes  ;  and 
the  other  proceeding  directly  from  that  line  upon  its  middle,  and  wliich  terminates 
anteriorly  in  a  short  fork,  or  near  the  emargination  of  the  labrum,  though  it  is  sepa- 
rated from  this  fork  by  a  slight  intercei^tion,  which  is  just  beyond  two  hyphen-like 
lines  by  its  sides.  Anterior  part  of  the  rostrum  naked,  and  impressed  with  coalescent 
dots.  Eyes  bro\ra.  Thorax  subcylindrical,  marked  with  three  rather  obscure  whitish 
longitudinal  bands  :  punctm-es  coarse  and  coalescent.   Elytra  have  nine  rows  of 
punctures,  and  at  the  base  a  part  of  a  tenth  row.  The  alternate  spaces  between  the 
dotted  lines  have  small  black  quadrate  spots  :  on  the  sutural  space,  or  ridge,  they 
are  smaller  and  more  obscure  than  upon  the  others.  These  quadrate  black  spots  are 
placed  upon  the  four  whitish  longitudinal  stripes,  which  are  quite  obscure.  Beneath 
gray  :  legs  gray.     Length  of  the  female,  five-eighths  of  an  inch  ;  of  the  male,  half 
an  inch.' 
This  CtiRcui.io  has  Ihehabitof  many  of  the  species  of  this  family.  It  devours  the  tender 
leaves  and  blossoms  of  fruit  trees,  and  has  been  known  to  do  great  injury  to  the  apple 
and  pear.  It  sometimes  attacks  the  base  of  a  young  shoot,  and  cats  it  to  the  pith  :  at  other 
times,  it  feeds  upon  the  leaves  of  the  cherry  and  plum.  Its  strong  notched  mandible  fits  it 
admirably  for  work  of  this  kind. 

The  only  way  to  rid  a  tree  infested  with  this  insect,  is  to  shake  it  suddenly  in  the 
morning  or  evening  while  the  insects  are  stitf  and  cold,  and  collect  them  upon  sheets  spread 
beneath  :  the  insects,  and  the  fruit  that  fall,  should  be  put  into  boiling  water. 


FAMILY    CURCULIONID^.  Ill 

This  species  has  a  wide  range  :  it  is  found  in  Canada,  Northern  New-York,  Wisconsin, 
and  Massachusetts. 

The  following  remarks  of  Prof.  Haldeman  are  highly  appropriate  in  this  place  : 

'  Among  rhyncophorous  coleoptera,  the  Genus  Balaninus  is  remarkable^  for  having  a 
very  long  slender  snout,  frequently  exceeding  the  body  in  length,  and  bearing  a  pair  of 
antennse  as  slender  as  a  hair.  Cliesnuts  are  frequently  found  infested  with  a  fleshy  grub, 
which  feeds  upon  the  interior,  and  fills  the  cavity  with  its  castings  in  the  shape  of  dust. 
This  is  the  larva  of  Balanimts  nasciciis  (Say).  It  is  densely  clothed  with  short  hair  mottled 
with  ferruginous.  An  allied  but  smaller  species  is  found  in  the  larva  state  in  the  nut  of 
the  Casfayiea  pumila,  or  chinquapin.  These  larva;  are  very  difficult  to  raise  to  the  perfect 
state  when  the  attempt  is  made,  and  it  is  probable  that  many  perish  from  various  con- 
tingencies. 

'  Conofrachelus  nenuphar  (Herbst),  subsequently  named  Rhynchanits  arg7tla  by  FABRicirs, 
is  very  destructive  to  the  fruit  of  the  plum,  which  the  larvse  inhabit,  and  cause  to  fall 
prematurely.  This  damage  is  so  great  in  some  sections,  that  not  a  single  plum  can  be 
raised  to  maturity.  When  the  fruit  falls,  the  grubs  penetrate  into  the  ground  ;  so  that  to 
check  their  increase,  it  is  advisable  to  collect  and  destroy  these  (as  by  boiling  and  feeding 
them  to  hogs),  including  such  upon  the  trees  as  present  a  dwarfed,  imperfect,  or  giunmy 
appearance.  Paving  the  ground  around  the  trees  is  said  to  answer  an  excellent  purpose, 
and  it  is  well  known  that  plum  trees  flourish  well  when  planted  in  pavements.  This  is  a 
small  rough  insect  of  a  brown  color,  irregularly  marked  with  white,  black  and  yellow  • 
and  the  snout  is  held  upon  or  near  the  breast.  It  is  said  by  Dr.  Harris  to  have  been  raised 
from  the  black  warty  excrescences  found  upon  the  smaller  branches  of  plum  and  cherry 
trees.  The  Rev.  D.  Ziegler  of  York  (Pennsylvania)  has  shown  me  specimens  of  the  butter- 
fly whicli  destroys  the  peach-tree  (Egeria  exitiosa),  raised  from  these  excrescences,  which 
diifer  from  those  taken  from  about  the  root  of  the  tree  in  being  considerably  smaller  :  the 
two  forms  have  not,  however,  been  rigidly  compared. 

'  The  Genus  Sitophilus  includes  a  number  of  small  insects  called  weevil,  which  are 
destructive  to  stored  grain,  as  wheat,  rice  and  corn  ;  and  under  circumstances  favorable  to 
their  increase,  great  quantities  are  destroyed  or  depreciated  in  value.  The  use  of  salt,  and 
kiln-drying,  have  been  recommended  as  preventatives.  The  latter  process  may  be  per- 
formed in  an  economical  manner  by  erecting  a  stove  with  a  vertical  pipe  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  in  height  :  around  this  pipe,  and  about  three  inchesfrom  it  on  every  side,  a  second 
one  of  wood  is  to  be  placed  ;  and  whilst  the  heat  from  the  fire  passes  through  the  inner 
one,  the  grain  is  to  be  passed  through  the  cavity  between  the  pipes,  and  at  such  a  rate  as 
to  prevent  it  from  being  injui-ed  by  too  high  a  temperature.  The  moisture  will  be  more 
effectually  driven  off"  if  the  outer  pipe  is  made  with  open  joints,  because  otherwise  it  must 
rise  through  the  whole  column  before  it  can  escape,  and  much  of  it  will  condense  and  be 


112  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

carried  down  the  pipe  again.  The  corn  weevil  is  named  Sitophilus  oryzee  from  having  been 
first  discovered  in  rice,  a  vegetable  which  it  seems  to  have  accompanied  to  distant  portions 
of  the  globe.  Infested  grain  may  be  detected  by  its  loss  of  weight,  which  renders  it  easy 
to  separate  and  boil  or  grind  as  feed  upon  the  farm.  Mills  and  barns  sometimes  swarm  with 
these  insects ;  and  in  this  case  multitudes  may  be  collected  and  destroyed  by  sweeping 
them  from  the  posts,  walls  and  floors. 

'  Phyllohius  tmniatus  may  be  taken  as  an  example  of  a  leaf-inhabiting  rhyncophorous 
insect.  Schcenherr,  the  great  authority  upon  these  insects,  removes  it  into  a  new  genus  of 
which  it  is  the  only  representative.  It  is  found  upon  the  leaves  of  the  Anwm  triloba^  or 
papaw,  and  is  perfectly  harmless.' 

Scolytidse. 

The  Scolytid^  are  small  obscure  insects,  inhabiting  wood  :  they  have  a  short  rostrum  ; 
the  head  is  globular,  and  is  concealed  in  the  thorax ;  the  body  is  oblong  or  cylindric  : 
their  colors  are  dull.  Among  these  destructive  wood-eaters  is  the 

Genus  HYLURGUS  (Lat.). 
Body  cylindrical,  obtuse  before  and  behind  :  head  concealed   in  the  thorax ;  antennae 
terminated  in  a  clubform  mass,  consisting  of  three  or  four  joints  :  the  tibise  are  armed 
with  a  tooth. 

Hylurgus  terebrans  (Oliv.). 
Pubescent  :  head  rounded,  and  sunk  in  the  thorax  ;  antennse  short.  , 

GrENus  TOMICUS  (Lat.).    Bostrichus  (Erichs.). 
Funiculus  five-jointed  ;  club  four-jointed,  tunicate ;  labium  triangular. 

Of  this  genus,  several  species  have  been  described  by  Mr.  Say  and  Dr.  Harris.  They 
are  small  brownish  beetles,  with  the  elytra  toothed  at  their  apices,  appearing  as  if  a  piece 
was  bitten  out. 

TOMICUS    EXESUS. 

Color  dark  chestnut  brown,  and  somewhat  hairy  :  thorax  ovate,  rough  before ;  elytra 
strongly  punctm-ed  in  rows  ;  apices  excavated,  the  edges  toothed  on  the  outer  side. 
Length  between  one-fourth  and  one-fifth  of  an  inch. 
This  small  and  obscure  insect  is  found  under  the  bark  of  the  pitch  pine  tree,  where  it 
excavates  numerous  zigzag  and  parallel  roads.  It  greatly  injures  forests  in  this  way ;  cut- 
ting off  the  circulation  of  the  sap,  which  ultimately  causes  the  bark  to  become  loosened, 
when  the  tree  dies. 


FAMILY    SCOLYTIDiE.  113 

TOMICUS    PINI. 

This  species  diifers  from  the  former  in  having  only  three  or  four  teeth  at  the  extremity 
of  the  elytra,  and  in  being  a  smaller  insect.  Its  habits  are  much  the  same  as  those  of  the 
exesus,  in  living  beneath  the  bark  of  tlie  white  and  pitch  pine.  The  grubs  of  both  species 
accomplish  more  injury  to  forests  than  the  perfect  inSect.  I  have  taken  the  last  species  the 
first  of  September.  Autumn,  or  late  in  the  summer,  is  the  period  when  the  perfect  insect 
goes  abroad. 

Miss  Morris  describes  the  T.  liminaris  in  the  Horticultuiist,  Vol.  iv,  p.  502.  This  dis- 
tinguished entomologist  suggests  that  this  insect  may  be  some  way  or  other  connected  with 
the  yellows  in  the  peach  tree,  as  it  is  found  under  the  bark.  Its  color  is  brown  :  thorax 
punctured,  and  the  elytra  both  punctured  and  furrowed,  and  beset  with  short  hairs. 
Length  one-eighth  to  one-tenth  of  an  inch. 

ScoLYTus  (ToMicus)  PYRi  (Peck).     Pear-blight  Beetle  (Harris). 
'  Color  brown  :  antennae  and  legs  light  ferruginous ;  elytra  punctured  in  rows,  very 
'  sloping  behind ;  tibia  flattened  at  the  tarsal  end,  toothed,  and  terminated  with  a 
'  small  hook'  (Harris). 
This  insect  has  been  highly  injurious  to  the  pear  tree  in  New-England,  and  especially 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Massachusetts.  It  was  first  described  by  Prof.  Peck.  The  larva  first 
*ats  its  way  inward  into  the  wood,  making  its  entrance  just  at  the  root  of  a  bud  :  it  reaches 
the  pith,  and,  by  its  irritation,  appears  somehow  to  poison  that  portion  of  the  limb  above 
the  bud  where  it  first  entered.  We  say  poisoned  ;  because  there  seems  to  be  something 
more  sudden  and  effectual  in  causing  death,  than  a  slight  interruption  in  the  circulation  : 
the  limb  or  twig  looks  as  if  it  had  perished  from  gangrene. 

The  remedy  proposed  is  to  cut  the  limb  and  burn  it,  destroying  the  insect  before  it  is 
matured.  A  careful  examination  of  the  pear  in  June,  in  order  to  detect  the  first  appearance 
of  the  approach  of  the  insect,  is  one  of  the  first  steps  to  be  taken. 


[Agricultural  Report  — Vol.  v.]  15 


CHAPTER    IX. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  ( Continued). 


LONGICORNES. 

The  Longicornes  of  Latreille  (  Eucerata  of  Westwood)  deserve  a  special  notice,  in 
consequence  of  their  habits,  and  the  singular  prolongation  of  their  antenna,  which  is  one 
of  the  most  obvious  characters  of  the  group.  The  antenna^,  are  filiform  or  setaceous,  and 
frequently  considerably  longer  than  the  whole  body.  The  eyes  are  peculiar,  in  consequence 
of  the  position  of  the  antennse,  which  often  appear  to  have  been  implanted  within  them  : 
the  eye  is  therefore  said  to  be  emarginate,  though  not  strictly  so  ;  and  it  has  a  reniform 
shape,  when  considered  independently  of  the  base  of  the  antenna.  The  body  is  elongated 
and  cylindrical.  The  elytra  are  broader  than  the  thorax,  which  they  more  perfectly  encase 
by  their  sudden  flexure  at  the  shoulder,  than  is  common  in  other  groups.  The  head  is 
short,  and  driven  into  the  thorax  up  or  nearly  to  the  eyes  :  their  jaws  are  powerful.  The 
legs  are  long,  and  frequently  the  longest  in  front.  The  thorax  is  cylindrical,  and  in  some 
species  the  sides  are  armed  with  a  short  pointed  tubercle.  The  three  basal  joints  of  the 
tarsi  are  cushioned  beneath  :  the  fifth  is  long  and  slender  ;  the  fourth,  small. 

The  insects  of  this  group  come  out  from  various  liinds  of  wood  in  their  perfect  state, 
having  inhabited  it  from  the  first,  or  from  the  time  of  the  deposition  of  the  egg  :  they  are 
therefore  usually  found  in  the  vicinity  of  wood  and  dock  yards,  or  where  timber  is  stored. 
It  may  well  be  inferred  from  these  facts  that  the  larva  is  injurious  to  the  tree  it  occupies ; 
and  the  more  so,  as  it  is  known  to  remain  in  this  state  for  many  years. 

The  larvae  are  provided  with  six  scaly  articulated  legs ;  but  they  are  of  little  use  as 
organs  for  locomotion,  by  reason  of  their  small  size  :  their  movements  are  rather  effected 
by  means  of  the  warts  or  fleshy  tubercles  situated  along  the  sides  of  their  bodies.  Their 
bodies  are  soft,  and  of  a  dirty  white  color.  The  head  is  only  moderate  in  size,  flat  and  wide. 

In  consequence  of  the  long  time  the  larvse  are  resident  in  various  kinds  of  wood,  there 
is,  through  commercial  intercourse,  a  tendency  to  distribute  in  all  countries  the  beetles  of 
this  large  group.  A  piece  of  wood  from  South  America  is  brought  by  a  ship  and  thrown 
out  upon  some  island  in  the  West  Indies,  or  is  transported  to  one  of  our  southern  ports. 
Savannah,  Charleston,  or  even  New-York  :  the  insects  contained  in  the  wood  are  liberated 


FAMILY   PRIONID^.  115 

in  a  new  and  distant  land  ;  and  in  this  way,  tliis  or  any  other  country  may  become  stoclied 
with  new  species  of  insects.  In  the  long  run,  and  with  the  ever  extending  intercouse  be- 
tween the  different  nations  of  the  earth,  it  is  no  visionary  imagination  that  the  time  will 
come  when  these  l)eetles  will  be  found  in  every  country  where  ihe  climate  is  not  decidedly 
unfavorable  to  their  propagation  and  existence. 

This  group  of  beetles  is  divided  into  three  families  :  1,  the  Prionidje,  embracing  the 
largest  of  the  group,  and  provided  with  very  prominent  jaws  and  very  long  bodies  ;  2,  the 
Cerambycid.e,  containing  beetles  of  moderate  dimensions,  ornamented  with  a  variety  of 
colors  ;  and,  3,  the  Lepturid^,  containing  insects  of  a  yet  smaller  size,  with  bodies  dilated 
before  and  narrowed  behind,  and  with  antennae  of  a  moderate  length. 


Prionidse. 

Pkiosus.  pennsylvanicus  (Fab.).  (Plate  xxxiv,  fig.  10.) 

Cerambix  unicolor  (Drury) ; 
C.  BRUNNEUs  (Forster) ; 

C.  CYLiNDRicus  (Linn.). 

Insect  chestnut  brown ;  head  dark  chestnut  brown.  Antennae  stout,  and  two-thirds  the 
length  of  the  insect  :  elytra  lighter  than  the  head,  extending  beyond  the  abdomen, 
and  nearly  three  times  as  long  as  the  thorax  and  head  together  ;  sides  parallel ;  ab- 
domen, thighs,  and  tibi?e  red  chestnut. 
The  whole  animal  is  some  shade  of  chestnut  brown,  but  the  head  and  thorax  are  darker 
than  the  elytra. 

Prionus  LATicoLiis.  ( Plate  xxvi,  fig.  5.) 

Cerambix  laticollis  (Drury)  ; 
Prionus  brevicornis  (Fab.). 
Insect  dark  chestnut  brown  ;  head  and  thorax  nearly  black.  Antennee  very  stout,  consisting 
of  twelve  joints  :  tibise  armed  internally  with  two  short  spines ;  tarsi  beneath  yel- 
lowish. 
The  insects  of  both  species  are  light  and  dark  chestnut  brown ;  almost  black  in  the 
latter  species.  Their  jaws  are  stout,  and  project ;  and  their  bodies  are  longer  in  proportion 
to  the  anterior  parts,  the  elytra  extending  a  little  beyond  the  abdomen.  They  belong  to  the 
large  tribe  of  Capricorn  beetles,  and  form  a  family  called  Prionida,  so  termed  from  the 
structure  of  the  antennae,  which  are  jointed,  and  give  the  general  appearance  of  a  saw. 
Some  of  the  tropical  species  are  very  large. 


116  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Drury  gives  a  long  account  of  the  grubs  of  this  family  :  he  states  that  they,  together 
with  several  other  wood-eaters,  constitute  a  delicate  eating  ;  and  that  in  the  torrid  zone, 
a  man  may  supply  himself  with  animal  food  of  this  description,  provided  he  has  a  knife 
or  other  cutting  tool  strong  enough  to  penetrate  the  decaying  trees. 


Cerambycidse. 

Antenna  slender,  tapering  and  pointed,  often  elongated ;  eyes  kidney-shaped,  the  con- 
cavity of  which  receives  the  base  of  the  anteunse  ;  thorax  rounded  and  convex. 

Stenocorus  cinctus.  ( Plate  xxvi,  fig.  2.) 

Cekambix  balteatus  (Degeer) ; 
C.  CINCTUS  (Drury) ; 

Stenochorus  garganicus  (Fab.). 
Color  grayish  hazle  :  surface  covered  with  a  short  gray  nap.  Thorax  armed  in  the  middle 
with  a  short  spine  :  elytra  ornamented  with  an  oblique  ochre-yellow  bar  near  the 
thorax.  Extreme  length  1|  inch.  Antennte  of  the  males  more  than  twice  as  long  as 
the  body  :  scutellum  is  triangular,  and  yellowish  in  color ;  while  the  elytra  are 
margined,  and  tipped  with  two  small  spines. 
This  inhabits  the  hickory  :  its  larvse  form  galleries  in  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  which  run 
parallel  to  the  grain  of  the  wood. 

CerambixI  .  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  9.) 

Color  black.  Antennae  ten-jointed ;  basal  joint  oval  and  short,  tuberculated,  tubercles 

minute  ;  last  joint  long,  slender ;  second  joint  nearly  equal  the  last ;  the  remainder 

nearly  equal  in  length.  Head  with  a  prominence  over  each  eye  and  a  prolongation  at 

the  base  of  each  antenna,  making  upon  the  front  a  deep  longitudinal  groove.  Thorax 

appears  to  be  transversely  rugose,  cylindrical,  without  tubercles  or  spines,  but  rather 

thickened  behind,  differing  in  that  respect  from  the  thorax  of  a  Saperda,  and  slightly 

constricted  near  the  elytra.  Elytra  thickly  punctured,  but  scarcely  confluent.  The 

lower  part  of  the  tibiae  and  tarsi  hairy,  but  confined  to  the  forelegs  ;  the  others  being 

only  slightly  hairy,  if  at  all. 

This  insect  would  make  a  very  good  saperda,  were  it  not  for  the  extreme  length  of  the 

antennae  and  the  form  and  character  of  the  basal  joint.  I  am  not  entirely  satisfied  with  its 

reference  to  the  Genus  Cerambix,  still  its  characters  do  not  materially  disagree  with  those 

given  by  Mr.  Westwood.    Length  rather  more  than  |  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    CERAMBYCID-E.  117 

« 

Genus  CLYTUS.     Leptura  (Linn.). 
Thorax  globose,  unarmed  ;  antennse  setaceous,  and  shorter  than  the  body  ;  elytra  entire  at 
the  tip  ;  hindlegs  clavate. 

Clytus  sPEciosus  (Say).     Beautiful  C/ytus.  (  Plate  xvi,  fig.  10.) 

Head  yellow,  with  an  obscure  l:>lack  circle  between  the  antennse,  enclosing  a  yellow  dot  : 
collar  encircled  with  a  yellow  band  :  base  of  the  mandible  yellow  ;  lip  black  ;  eyes 
black ;  antennse  black  :  scutellum  marked  with  an  oval  spot.  Thorax  black,  with 
two  yellow  transverse  lines  on  each  side  :  beneath,  there  is  a  yellow  spot  before  the 
insertion  of  the  forelegs.  Elytra  black  :  outer  angles  marked  with  three  j'ellow  elon- 
gated spots,  separated  by  obscure  black  lines.  Upon  the  anterior  part  the  letter  W  is 
inscribed ;  and  the  same  above,  with  the  inner  lines  reversed  or  inverted.  Behind, 
there  is  an  oblique  narrow  band  running  backward  from  the  lower  margin  :  the  ter- 
minal third  is  yellow,  with  two  dots  of  black.  Beneath  yellow,  except  at  the  insertion 
of  the  legs  :  legs  yellow ;  tarsi  of  the  forelegs  dark  brown  or  black,  the  others  a 
shade  of  brown. 

Clytus  nobilis.  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  2.) 

Black  or  dark  brown  :  head  l)lack,  clothed  with  yellow  hairs  ;  eyes  black  ;  thorax  black 

immaculate.  Elytra  marked  with  three  yellow  spots  upon  their  basal  third,  and,  below 

the  middle,  with  two  transverse  lines,  and  four  dots  near  the  apices.  Legs  black  upon 

their  upper  sides ;  yellow  beneath. 

Clytus  caprea  (Say).     Callidium  caprea(Kixoch).  (Plate  xvi,  fig.  11.) 

Color  fuscous.  Anterior  edge  of  the  thorax  margined  with  yellow.  Elytra  marked  by  four 

yellow  bands ;  tip  yellow  :  front  depressed  or  grooved  between  the  antennae.  Thorax 

subcarinate  :  first  and  second  bands  unite  so  as  to  enclose  a  large  spot ;  the  others 

transverse  and  undulatory,  and  wider  upon  the  suture. 

Say  remarks  that  the  bands  are  sometimes  white. 

Clytus  pictus.     C.JIexucsus  (Yah.).  (Plate  xvi,  tig- 9.) 

Color  black,  ornamented  profusely  with  yellow  figui'es  and  yellow  bands  somewhat  after 
the  pattern  of  the  speciosus.  The  head  is  marked  with  three  transverse  yellow  stripes. 
On  the  elytra  the  first  and  second  stripes  are  nearly  straight,  the  third  forms  a  W,  the 
fourth  is  angled,  the  fifth  is  broken  by  a  longitudinal  elevated  line,  and  the  sixth 
consists  of  dots  arranged  in  the  form  of  an  arch.  Length  variable,  but  about  six- 
tenths  of  an  inch. 


118  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Clytus  undatus.  ( Plate  viii,  fig.  4.) 

Head  auteriorly  hairy ;  parts  about  the  front  part  of  the  head  rufous  ;  base  and  apex  of 
the  interrupted  hand,  of  yellow  hairs  :  scutellum  dark  brown.  Elytra  marked  with 
yellow  upon  their  margins  ;  the  basal  third  is  marked  with  an  oblique  line,  succeeded 
by  two  yellow  wavy  bands  :  posterior  angles  of  the  elytra  rounded  off  so  as  to  show 
the  last  segment  of  the  abdomen.  Beneath,  upon  the  breast,  are  three  yellow  spots, 
and  also  at  the  top  of  the  ventral  segments  of  the  abdomen.  Length  about  eight  lines. 

Clytus  campestris  ( Oliv.). 

This  is  a  small  species,  from  four-  to  six-tenths  of  an  inch  long.  Its  color  is  brown, 
marked  with  two  waved  bands  across  the  elytra  and  tips.  The  pronotum  has  four  yellow 
dots  arranged  in  a  square,  and  the  under  parts  are  marked  with  the  same  color. 

The  larva  is  injurious  to  fallen  chestnut  timber,  damaging  it  for  rails  :  they  burrow 
between  the  bark  and  wood,  and  also  penetrate  into  the  wood.  The  perfect  insect  appears 
in  May  and  June.  It  inhabits  the  Northern  States,  New- York  and  New-England,  and  ex- 
tends as  far  south  as  Carolina  (Haldeman,  Am.  Phil.  Transactions,  x,  40). 

Clytus  hamatus.  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  7.) 

Color  brown  :  head  banded  witli  yellow  ;  scutel  yellow.  Elytra  marked  with  two  bars 
and  a  dash ;  a  yellow  dash  near  the  base,  two  curved  lines  opening  towards  the 
shoulders,  the  inner  leg  extending  along  the  suture  to  the  scutel,  and  a  yellow  trans- 
verse curve  opening  downwards  and  situated  below  the  middle  :  legs  brown.  Length 
half  an  inch. 

Clytus  .  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  6.) 

Color  brown.  Head  much  concealed  in  the  thorax,  rather  dilated,  immaculate.  Elytra 
mai-ked  with  three  transvei-se  curved  bars  at  equal  distances  ;  outer  angle  of  the  apex 
pointed  :  legs  long,  brown.    Length  nearly  half  an  inch. 

Clytus  1  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  3.) 

Antennse  shorter  than  the  body,  setaceous  ;  second  joint  the  longest  :  thorax  globose,  un- 
armed :  elytra  entire  at  the  tip.  Color  black,  somewhat  yellowish  gray  from  the 
presence  of  a  yellowish  nap.  Head  black,  impressed  with  a  sutural  line  with  a  trans- 
verse prominence  or  ridge  at  its  base.  Thorax  marked  with  black  oculate  spots  on  the 
top  and  centre ;  sides  grayish,  with  a  rectangular  spot  :  below  it  is  black.  Elytra 
clothed  with  a  short  nap,  marked  by  about  three  narrow  grayish  zigzag  lines,  and 
dashes  of  the  same  about  the  shoulders  :  towards  the  apex  they  are  slightly  separated ; 
and  upon  the  apex,  running  up  the  suture,  there  is  an  obscure  oblong  gray  spot.  Be- 
neath, black  and  glossy  :  legs  black. 


FAMILY    CERAMBYCID.*:.  119 

This  species  I  found  in  many  parts  of  this  State  in  June,  and  supposed  it  common.  Al- 
though very  peculiarly  marked,  I  have  been  unable  to  satisfy  myself  as  yet  what  name  it 
has  received. 

Clvtus  .  (Plate  viii,  fig.  1.) 

Color  rufescent,  covered  with  prostrate  hair  :  head  black  ;  thorax  grayish,  from  the  lighter 

colored  hair  :  elytra  purplish  brown,  with  three  bands  of  lighter,  the  basal  obscure, 

the  apicial  ones  confluent  on  the  elytral  suture.  All  the  thighs  dilated  and  robust. 

This  Clytus  is  obscurely  marked  ;  and  though  it  may  be  described,  it  differs  much  from 

those  in  my  possession,  and  from  accessible  descriptions.  The  bands  spoken  of  are  brought 

out  more  distinctly  in  the  figure  than  they  appear  in  the  specimens  :  the  same  remark 

will  apply  to  the  round  black  spot  upon  the  base  of  the  elytra  ;  and,  besides,  I  may  add 

that  the  side  of  the  trunk  is  marked  by  a  distinct  luteous  spot,  and  another  smaller  one 

at  the  base  of  the  middle  legs. 


Genus  SAPERDA  (  Fab.). 
Head  vertical,  as  broad  as  the  thorax,  slightly  compressed  at  the  sides  or  cylindrical, 
destitute  of  lateral  spines  :  antennse  filiform,  and  terminating  in  an  elongated  joint. 

The  Genus  Saperda  contains  several  species  known  to  be  injurious  to  the  interests  of 
husbandry.  Most  of  them  are  rather  sluggish  in  their  mature  state,  manifest  far  less 
activity  than  many  other  insects,  and  rarely  attempt  to  escape  when  in  danger  of  being 
captured.  Some  of  them  frequent  flowers,  but  I  belive  all  deposit  their  eggs  upon  trees  or 
shrubs.  When  the  eggs  are  hatched,  the  young  larvse  penetrate  the  bark  and  wood,  and 
injure  very  materially  the  growth  of  the  tree  in  which  they  reside  ;  and  as  they  are  ge- 
nerally two  or  more  years  in  coming  to  maturity,  their  hurtful  effects  are  proportionally 
augmented.  The  larvse  feed  upon  the  wood  as  they  penetrate  it,  and  derive  their  nutriment 
from  the  juices  it  contains.  Theii-  excrement  appears  like  sawdust ;  retaining  in  fact  the 
color  of  the  wood,  after  it  has  suificed  to  nourish  them,  and  has  passed  through  their 
bodies.  Their  form  is  that  which  is  common  to  the  tribe,  the  rings  near  the  head  being 
wider  than  those  of  the  rest  of  the  animal.  The  head  is  usually  scaly,  and  is  retractile  in 
part  within  the  first  ring  :  it  is  supplied  necessarily  with  strong  jaws,  in  order  that  the 
insect  may  eat  its  way  into  the  wood.  Their  food  is  constantly  before  them  in  their  path  ; 
and  it  is  a  very  curious  fact,  that  though  they  may  make  their  way  into  the  wood,  yet 
they  usually  direct  their  course  towards  the  outside  when  about  to  change  from  the  larva 
to  the  imago  state.  The  larvse  are  without  legs,  soft,  white  or  yellowish  white,  elongated, 
and  more  or  less  flattened. 

One  of  the  most  destructive  of  these  species  is  the  larva  of  the  Saperda  Candida.  This 


120  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

species,  like  many  other  insects,  seems  to  be  much  more  abundant  some  years  or  periods 
than  others,  and  also  more  common  in  some  districts  than  others.  In  illustration  of  this 
fact,  I  may  refer  to  the  existence  of  this  species  in  the  neighborhood  of  Troy  in  1825. 
This  was  first  made  known  to  the  public  by  the  late  Judge  Buel,  in  one  of  the  numbers 
of  the  Albany  Cultivator.  He  says  that  '  he  was  sent  for  by  Mr.  Heartt  of  Troy,  to 
witness  the  devastation  made  in  a  fine  young  orchard  by  a  grub  hitherto  unknown  to  the 
farmers  of  the  vicinity,  and  which  to  know  and  guard  against  was  a  great  public  interest.' 
It  appears  from  the  letter  that  the  orchard  was  injured  to  the  extent  of  two  thousand 
dollars,  according  to  the  estimate  of  Mr.  Heartt. 

The  larva  of  this  species  penetrates  the  young  tree  just  above,  or  it  may  be  just  below, 
the  surface.  In  its  progress,  it  cuts  its  way  in  a  winding  direction  upward ;  and  as  it  is 
three  years  in  coming  to  maturity,  it  continues  to  mine  onward,  cuts  oif  the  circulation  of 
the  sap,  and-  deprives  the  tree  of  its  necessary  nutriment.  One  borer  is  sufficient  to  stop 
the  growth  of  a  young  appletree ;  and  if  several  are  mining  at  the  same  time,  the  tree  is 
inevitably  destroyed.  All  the  workings  being  near  the  root,  the  tree  is  after  a  while  so 
perfectly  riddled  with  holes  that  it  has  no  strength  to  stand.  The  circumstances  that  favor 
these  results,  are,  first,  a  poor  soil,  containing  but  little  nutriment ;  the  second  is  the  growth 
of  sprouts  or  suckers  from  the  root,  and  of  grass,  which  protects  the  base  of  the  tree  from 
sunshine,  and  conceals  from  the  view  of  the  owner  the  work  which  is  going  on.  Hence  all 
young  trees  should  be  kept  free  from  these  incumljrances  at  the  root  :  this  is  one  of  the 
preventives  of  a  fatal  result,  and  should  not  be  neglected. 

It  is  needless  to  dwell  upon  the  injurious  effects  of  the  ajiplefree  bcrer.  I  would  take  the 
liberty  to  caution  the  owners  of  orchards  of  fruit  trees  not  to  trust  to  uncertain  measures, 
as  the  surrounding  of  the  roots  and  base  of  the  tree  with  tanbark  or  any  other  material 
of  the  kind.  A  judicious  use  of  the  knife  and  a  good  stiff  wire  are  the  only  certain  means 
of  getting  rid  of  these  customers,  when  they  have  once  got  possession  of  the  premises. 

The  perfect  insect,  according  to  Dr.  Harris,  comes  forth  in  June  :  this,  at  any  rate,  is 
the  mouth  during  which  I  have  found  them.  They  come  out  at  night  :  in  the  daytime  they 
are  engaged  in  feeding  upon  the  leaves  of  the  tree,  or  remain  quietly  at  rest,  very  rarely 
flying  during  the  day. 

That  carelessness  and  inattention  to  young  and  old  orchards  is  the  great  cause  of  the 
prevalence  of  this  insect  among  us,  is  true  ;  and  so  long  as  so  many  neglect  the  means  for 
ridding  their  trees  of  this  pest,  so  long  it  will  continue  to  harass  those  who  are  on  the 
watch,  and  who  intend  and  wish  to  raise  good  fruit.  A  remedy,  consisting  of  a  solution  of 
camphor  in  chloroform,  may  be  tried,  by  inserting  in  the  borings  a  plug  of  cotton  wool 
soaked  in  it  :  it  is  worthy  of  trial,  and  may  save  cutting  away  the  sound  wood  of  the  tree. 
Or  perhaps  camphor  alone,  or  ammonia  formed  by  ruljbing  together  sal  ammoniac  and  an 
alkali,  either  lime  or  potash,  reduced  to  powder,  and  introduced  into  a  burrow  where  it  is 
dangerous  to  follow  the  larva,  may  be  worth  the  experiment. 


FAMILY    CERAMBYCIDJE.  121  ' 

The  larvae  of  the  Sapcda  calcarata  infest  lombardy  poplars.  They  are  yellowish  white, 
and,  when  full  grown  or  mature,  are  nearly  two  inches  long  :  the  body  is  thick,  dilated 
before,  and  consists  of  twelve  segments  separated  from  each  other  by  deep  transvei-se 
furrows.  In  August  and  September,  the  beetle  may  L^e  fecund  on  the  different  species  of 
poplar  :  it  flies  by  night.  It  is  harmless  in  comparison  to  the  appletree  saperda  ;  but  one 
of  our  finest  shade  trees  is  the  aspen,  which  is  often  destroyed  by  this  borer.  Their  pre- 
sence may  be  known  by  their  castings,  which  lodge  on  some  part  of  the  tree. 

The  Saperda  (Oberea)  fripunctata  seems  to  be  equally  destructive  with  the  two  former 
to  forest  and  shade  trees.  It  is  about  the  size  of  the  Candida,  but  quite  different  in  its 
markings,  as  will  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  description.  It  attacks  the  linden,  and,  by 
burrowing  beneath  the  bark,  destroys  the  vitality  of  the  tree,  large  flakes  of  which  fall  off 
gradually  and  drop  to  the  ground  as  their  attachments  are  broken. 

Sapekda  vestita.  (Plate^xxvi,  fig.  4.) 

Color  olive  or  light  drab,  nearly  uniform  :  surface  beneath  the  close-pressed  nap,  black. 

Head  and  thorax  immaculate.  Elytra  dotted,  each  dot  giving  origin  to  a  small  pencil 

of  black  hairs  :  dot-punctures  in  lines  at  the  l:.ase  and  along  the  sides,  and  marked 

with  four  black  dots  a  little  above  the  middle  of  the  elytra ;  and  sometimes  there  are 

other  dots,  owing  to  the  denuded  nap  upon  little  elevated  points  of  the  elytra.  Length 

seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 

This  species  attacks  the  linden  :  the  larvre,  by  their  burrows  beneath  the  bark  and 

vrithin  the  wood,  effectually  destroy  the  tree  in  a  few  years. 

Saperda  ca.n-dida  (Fab.).     S.  birittata  (Say).  (Plate  xvi,  fig.  3.) 

Color  light  brown,  marked  upon  the  upper  side  with  two  white  stripes  extending  the  whole 
length  of  the  insect  :  face,  antennse,  underside  of  the  body  and  legs  white.  The  white 
is  due  to  the  clothing,  which  consists  of  a  white  close-pressed  short  nap  :  where  rub- 
bed off,  the  surface  is  black.  The  white  stripes  decussate  from  the  forehead,  leaving 
the  grey-brown  stripe  on  the  top  of  the  thorax  passing  down  the  sutural  line.  Length 
six-  to  seven-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Saperda  (AhJjiEA)  calcarata.  (Plate  xvi,  fig.  1.) 

Color  gray  or  ashen,  and  covered  with  a  short  dense  close  nap  :  surface  covered  with 
raised  points  or  dots  :  thorax  marked  with  three  pale  ochreous  stripes,  which  de- 
cussate from  the  forehead.  The  elytra  are  also  marked  by  partial  stripes  and  bands  of 
the  same  color  :  apex  terminating  in  a  straight  short  spine  j  beneath  pale  gray  ochre- 
ous. Beneath  the  nap,  the  surface  is  black.     Length  nine-tenths  of  an  inch. 

[  AGRICTTLTtntAL    RbPOST VoL.  V.]  16 


122  ORDER    COLEOPTERA, 

Saperda  tridenta.  (Plate  xxvi,  fig- 6.) 

AntenniE  slender,  shorter  tban  the  body,  second  longest.  Color  rusty  brown,  approaching 
to  an  olive  :  sutural  line  passing  through  the  head  and  thorax.  Insect  ornamented 
with  pale  briek-red  stripes  :  face  margined,  and  eyes  surrounded  with  the  colored 
stripe  referred  to.  Stripes  nearly  unite  between  the  antenna?  :  from  thence  they 
diverge  abruptly,  and  form  lateral  stripes  upon  the  thorax  ;  thence  they  proceed  to 
the  pronainent  or  angular  shoulders,  run  down  upon  the  sides  of  the  elytra,  and  meet 
the  outer  ai>gle  of  the  apex,  and  then  pass  round  on  the  inside  a  short  distance  upon 
the  sutural  line.  These  stripes  send  oft"  three  diverging  ones  :  the  first  is  arched ;  the 
second  or  middle  is  straight,  but  passes  obliquely  downwards  near  the  suture ;  the 
last,  or  apical  one  is  short,  and  arched.  The  sides  of  the  thorax  are  marked  by  four 
oval  spots.  The  two  spots  on  the  top  of  the  thorax  are  obscure ;  but  in  some  species 
there  seem  to  be  four,  though  the  two  near  the  head  may  be  produced  by  loss  of  the 
drab-colored  nap.  Beneath  hoary,  the  whitish  nap  covering  a  black  ground.  Extremity 
of  the  abdomen  truncate.  Outer  angle  of  the  elytra  rounded. 

Saperda  , 

Color  yellowish  drab,  uniform  :  head,  thorax  and  elytra  covered  with  a  close-pressed 
short  nap.  Thorax  longitudinally  marked  with  pale  yellow  stripes  alternating  with 
deeper.  Elytra  punctured,  and  marked  with  about  seven  obscure  yellowish  spots  on 
each. 

Saperda  (Obeuea)  tripunctata.     Raspberry  Saperda.  (  Plate  xvi,  fig.  7.) 

< Color  black  :  breast  and  top  of  the  thorax  rusty  yellow.  There  are  usually  two  elevated 

black  dots  on  the  middle  of  the  thorax,  and  a  third  on  the  hinder  edge.  Antennae  of 

a  moderate  length,  and  scarcely  taper.  Wing-covers  coarsely  punctured  :  punctures 

in  rows  on  the  top,  but  irregular  on  the  sides  and  tips.     Length  from  three-tenths  to 

half  an  inch'  (Harris).     There  is  also  a  black  spot  on  the  sides  of  the  thorax. 

Dr,  Harris  observes  that  this  insect  completes  its  transformations  near  the  end  of  July, 

and  lays  its  eggs  early  in  August  on  the  stems  of  the  blackberry  or  raspberry.  The  grubs 

burrow  into  the  pith  of  the  stem,  and  destroy  it  by  the  end  of  summer. 

The  grubs  are  cylindrical  in  the  middle,  and  thickened  at  each  end.  The  first  three  rings 
are  short,  and  each  is  provided  beneath  with  imperfect  legs  in  the  form  of  minute  pointed 
warts  :  the  rest  of  the  rings  are  smooth. 

Genus  MONOCIIAMUS. 

Elytra  somewhat  parallel ;  antennse  glabrous  ;  anterior  male  tarsi  hairy  ;  forelegs  longtst ; 

thorax  laterally  spined*. 

•  KiRBT,  in  liis  generic  characters  in  the  Fauna  Boreali,  says  this  genus  has  eleveD  joints  Id  the  antennas.  I  believe 
it  has  only  tea,  and  the  lant  joint  is  the  longest,  or  equal  to  the  second. 


FAMILY    CERAMBYCID.^:.  1S3 

MoNocHAMUs  TiTiLLATOR.  (  Plate  XVJ,  fig.  6.) 

Brownish,  mottled  with  gray  spots.  Elytra  tufted  with  patches  of  dark  brown  hairs  :  an- 
tennae, in  the  male,  twice  as  long  as  the  body  ;  in  the  female,  they  equal  it  in  length. 
Length  one  inch  and  more. 
The  middle  leg  has  a  protuberance  on  the  upper  side.  The  mottlings  are  somewhat 
(variable,  owing  in  part  to  the  removal  of  the  short  close  nap  that  covers  the  insect. 

MoNOCHAMUS    MACULOSUS. 

Color  blackish  brown.  Elytra  mottled  and  furnished  with  small  patches  of  raised  spots 

tufted  with  hair,  rather  coarsely  punctured  :  apex,  on  the  inner  side,  armed  with  a 

spine  ;  outer  angle  ronndetl  :  protuberance  of  the  tibise  one-third  the  length  from  the 

tarsi.     It  is  rather  smaller  than  the  titillator. 

The  two  foregoing  speci«s  are  rather  common  in  Alba-nj  county  :  imleed,  common  to 

New-York  and  New-England. 

MoNOCHAMUS    SCUTELLATUS- 

Color  dark  brown,  darker  upon  the  base  of  the  elytra.  Scutel  white,  hairy,  strongly  punc- 
tured :  punctures  confluent  at  the  base.  Antennse  and  legs  dark  brown. 

MoNOCHAMUS    PULCHER. 

Color  lighter  brown  than  the  scutellatus.  Thorax  and  elytra  variegated  with  patches  of 
white  nap. 

Oncideres  cingulatus  (Serv.).  (Plate  xxii,  fig.  1.) 

Ash-gray,  banded  :  head  inclining  to  brown  :  thorax  ash,  together  with  the  middle  of  the 
elytra ;  base  and  terminal  extremity  darker,  and  somewhat  mottled.     Length  six- 
tenths  of  an  inch. 
Dr.  Haldeman  remarks*,  that  '  this  insect  appears  in  Pennsylvania  during  the  last  two 
weeks  in  .August  and  first  week  in  September.  It  feeds  upon  the  bark  of  the  walnut  [Carya 
alba).  The  ova  are  a  line  and  a  talf  long,  and  are  deposited  in  excavations  in  the  smalJ 
limbs.  After  the  ova  are  dejiosited,  the  female  gnaws  a  groove  around  the  limb,  which 
consequently  dies  in  a  short  time  :  this  seems  to  be  intended  for  the  future  progeny,  as 
the  larva}  are  found  feeding  upon  the  dead  wood.  When  the  insect  is  abundant,  mucli 
damage  may  be  done  to  the  young  growth  of  the  hickory,  when  it  is  of  the  size  suitable 
for  hoop-poles.'  When  the  main  stem  is  girdled  by  the  insect,  a  lateral  shoot  appears,  that 
may  be  attacked  the  next  year,  to  be  in  its  turn  amputated  after  undergoing  the  same 
operation  :  in  a  few  years,  the  tree  presents  a  curious  appearance. 


•  Jonr.  Acad  Nat   Sci.  Philadelphia;  Haldeman,  Am.  Pliil.  TrnnsftCtioM,  s,  62, 


124  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Lamia  .  (  Plate  xxvi,  fig.  9.) 

Color  gray,  and  banded.  Thorax  spined  at  the  sides  :  face  marked  with  an  impresstd  line, 

depressed  between  the  antennjB  ;  antennje  tcn-joiutcd,  first  joint  narrowed  at  base, 

second  joint  sliglitly  longest,  the  upper  half  of  each  very  black,  the  lower  half  gray. 

Front  of  the  thorax  is  marked  by  a  black  transverse  line,  in  the  rear  of  which  there 

are  two  small  black  spots  :  posterior  part  of  the  thorax  is  punctured  witli  black, 

especially  the  transverse  groove.  Elytra  thickly  and  coarsely  punctured  with  black, 

and  traversed  by  four  belts,  the  two  front  ones  incomplete  :  they  are  zigzag  in  form, 

and  interrupted  by  gray  spaces.  Abdomen  narrowed  somewhat  behind,  and  terminated 

by  a  black  ovipositor.  Femora  thickened,  and  clavate  at  the  tibial  end,  gray  :  tibiae 

marked  by  black  rings;  tarsi  black.  Post-peel  us  deeply  emargiuate  and  giay. 

The  foregoing  is  a  rare  species  in  this  vicinity.  Its  ovipositor  shows  that  its  eggs  are 

deposited  in  wood,  and  hence  it  is  an  injurious  insect  to  timber.    Length,  including  the 

ovipositor,  seven-eighths  of  an  inch. 

Tetraopes  tetropiithalma  (Forster).  M.  tcrnator  (Fab.).  (PI.  v,  fig.  11.) 
Color  brick-red.  Thorax  marked  with  four  black  dots  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  square. 
Elytra  marked  with  four  black  dots ;  two  near  the  basal  angles,  and  two  placed 
longitudinally  upon  the  middle.  Antennse  black  :  body  beneath  and  legs  black. 
.  .  This  insect  is  common  on  the  silkweed  (Jlsclepias  syriaca)  in  June  and  July,  and  is 
extensively  distributed,  extending  from  Massachusetts  to  Carolina  (  Haldeman's  Mat. 
Hist.  Long.  Am.  Phil.  Soc.  x,  53).  It  is  a  harmless  insect  in  its  mature  state. 

Elaphidios  viLLosuM  (  Fab.).     E.  putator  (  Peck).  (  Plate  xvi,  fig.  8.) 

Color  brown,  gray  or  hoarj-  from  patches  and  stripes  of  grayish  down  :  thorax  more 
villosc  than  the  elytra.  Antennfe  spinous  :  the  second  joint  armed  with  a  spine  as 
long,  or  nearly  as  long  as  the  third  joint ;  the  spine  of  the  third  joint,  one-third  as 
long  as  the  fourth  joint ;  on  the  fourth  joint,  the  spine  is  shorter  still.  Elytra  punc- 
tured, and  apex  spined.  Beneath,  the  same  color  as  above  :  legs  villous;  hindlegs 
arhied  with  a  short  spiue. 
Although  about  a  dozen  species  of  this  genus  have  been  discovered  in  the  United  States, 
the  habits  of  this  one  only  are  known.  The  larva  feeds  upon  the  wood  of  whiteoak  or 
blackoak,and  more  rarely  of  hickory  and  chesnut ;  and  on  one  occasion  I  reared  a  speci- 
men, apparently  of  this  species,  from  a  larva  taken  from  the  dead  trunk  of  a  small  spruce 
tree.  The  insect  is  half  an  inch  or  more  in  length,  and  may  be  distinguished  by  its  chesnut 
color,  varied  with  yellowish  spots  of  down  ;  the  small  spine  upon  some  of  the  joints  of  the 
an'ennje,  and  two  upon  the  tip  of  each  elytron  ;  and  by  the  smooth  raised  medial  line, 
and  tubercle,  upon  each  side  of  the  pronotum  above. 


FAMILY    LEPTURIDjE,  lt3 

When  the  larva  attahis  its  full  growth  in  the  branch,  which  l9  about  half  an  inch  thick, 
it  cuts  it  ofif  transversely  from  the  inside,  leaving  the  bark  alone  untouched ;  and  this 
slender  hold  is  severed  by  the  storms  of  autumn,  when  the  Inanch  and  larva  fall  together. 
The  larva  does  not  leave  its  shelter  until  the  next  spring,  when  it  appears  as  a  perfect 
insect  in  May  and  June. 

El.\phidion'?  .  (Plate  viii,  fig.  9.) 

Head  small  :  thorax  somewhat  flattened,  dilated  at  the  sides.  Anteun©  ten-jointed  :  the 
tenth  longest;  the  second,  third,  fuurth  and  fifth  spinous  upon  the  inside.  Thorax 
marked  by  two  sharp  impressed  lines  :  legs  equal  or  subequal.  Color  of  the  body 
luteous,  from  the  close  pressed  hair  or  nap  :  thorax  brownish,  without  tubercles  or 
armature  :  elytra  luteous,  mottled  somewhat  by  darker  spots,  narrowed  somewhat 
behind,  and  terminated  by  two  spines  concealed  in  the  hair.  Beneath  slightly 
brownish,  and  clothed  with  appressed  hair,  especially  upon  the  breast. 
I  refer  this  insect  to  the  Genus  Elavhidion,  though  its  generic  character  may  not  en- 
tarely  warrant  it. 


Leptiiri(l?e. 


The  insects  under  the  name  of  LEPxuRiDiE,  or  Lcjifurians,  constitute  a  third  family  of  the 
Capricorn  beetles.  The  body  is  narrowed  behind  :  eyes  rounded,  oval,  and  rather  promi- 
nent ;  and  the  antcnnpe  are  situated  farther  from  them  than  in  the  other  species,  and  are 
implanted  near  the  middle  of  the  forehead  :  thorax  widened  behind  :  head  connected* 
with  the  thorax  by  a  narrow  neck.  Colors  bright. 

Genls  DESMOCERUS  (Dej.).     Cerambyx  (  Forster) ;  Stekocokus  (Fab.). 
Eyes  lunated,  surrounding  the  base  of  the  antennse  :  head  sloped  before  ;  palpi  terminated 
by  a  large  joint  in  the  form  of  an  elongated  compressed  cone  :  thorax  subquadrate 
or  subcylindrical  :  antennae  setaceous. 

Desmocerus  palliatl's.  ( Plate  xvi,  fig.  6.) 

Color  deep  violet  or  prussian  blue  :  nearly  one  half  of  the  elytra  orange  yellow. 

The  larvse  live  in  the  stem  of  the  w'hite  elder,  and  feed  upon  its  pith.  This  year  (1853) 
this  insect  has  been  very  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany. 

Genus  RHAGIUM  (Fab.).     Leptura  (Lin.). 
'  Body  broad,  depressed  :  thorax  with  spines  on  each  side ;  antenna  short'  (West wood). 


126  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Rhagium  lineatum  ( Oliv.). 
Antennffi  short.  Thorax  narrow,  cylindrical  before  and  l)ehind  :  middle  of  (ho  thorax  is 
furnished  with  a  pointed  wart  on  eaeh  side.  Elytra  wide  at  the  shoulders,  and  taper- 
ing, convex  above,  with  punctures  between  the  smooth  elevated  lines, and  ornamented 
with  black  and  reddish  ash  colors,  the  former  arranged  in  transverse  bands.  Under- 
side variegated  with  dull  red,  gray  and  black. 
The  grubs  of  this  beetle  burrow  under  the  bark  of  the  pitch  pine  ;  in  const quence  of 
which,  it  is  loosened,  and  falls  off,  when  the  tree  dies.  The  grubs  are  often  numerous  : 
when  about  to  become  pupae,  each  one  forms  for  itself  an  oval  ring  of  woody  fibres.  The 
beetle  is  matured  before  the  close  of  winter,  but  remains  till  the  spring  <  j  tns  (  Habeis, 
Injurious  Insects  of  Massacliusetts,  pp.  02  -  93). 

f  have  found  the  larva  under  the  bark  of  the  yellow  pine  and  whit^  pinpj  where  it  is 
readily  recognized  by  forming,  at  the  jieriod  of  its  transformation,  an  oval  cavity,  the 
border  of  which  is  made  of  woody  fibres.  The  habits  of  the  European  Vhagiinn  indagctcr 
(  Fabr.),  are  similar.  This  insect  is  usually  about  seven-tenths  of  an  inch  long,  although 
it  is  sometimes  found  no  longer  than  four-tenths.  Its  color  is  gray,  marked  with  black  : 
the  surface  is  somewhat  downy  ;  the  antenna;  are  short ;  the  elytra  wide  at  the  base,  and 
having  several  raised  lines  ;  and  the  prothorax  has  a  tubercle  on  each  side.  The  perfect 
insect  appears  in  May  (Haldeman,  MS.  Notes). 

PoEPURicENus  humeralis  (Fab.).  ( Plate  xvi,  fig.  4.) 

Black.  Elytra  marked  with  a  rightangled  triangular  scarlet  spot  situated  upon  the  base  of 
the  elytron,  the  hypothenuse  passing  by  the  side  of  the  scutel.  Thorax,  neck  sculp- 
tured and  rugose,  and  furnished  with  a  lateral  pointed  tubercle  and  two  elevated 
roughened  ridges  or  eminences  on  the  median  line.  Length  variable  :  female,  six- 
tenths  of  an  inch ;  male,  less  than  half  an  inch. 
This  insect  seems  to  be  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  as  not  more  (ban  three  or  four 
specimens  have  been  taken  in  the  last  three  or  four  years. 

Genus  LEPTURA. 
Antennae  elongate,  basal  joint  robust,  second  minute;  eyes  narrowed  above.  Head  ex- 
serted  :  thorax  convex,  unarmed.  Infect  narrowed  behind  from  the  base  of  the  elytra 
to  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen  :  ]( gs  elongate,  slender. 

Leptura  vittata  (  Oliv.).  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  13.) 

Color  black  or  very  dark  brown  :  head,  Ihorax  and  legs  black  :  elytra  punctured  black, 

and  marked  with  a  rufous  stripe  extending  from  their  base  to  two-thirds  of  their 

length,  and  occupying  the  middle  of  the  elytrum.  Beneath,  the  insect  is  clothed  with 

short  gray  appressed  hairs. 


FAMILY    LEPTURIDiE.  :1S7- 

Leptura  kubkica. 
Color  black  :  head  and  thorax  black,  pubescent ;  four  first  joints  of  the  anlenn?e  black, 
the  remainder  luteoiis  at  base.  Elytra  ferruginous,  punctured ;  apex  of  tlie  outer 
angle  pointed,  and  longer  than  the  inner,  divaricate  :  legs  black. 
I  refer  this  to  tig.  10,  pi.  viii  :  the  apex  of  tlie  elytra  in  tliat  figure  is  liunciite. 

Leptura  mai.achiticus. 
Splendent  green,  with  steel-blue  reflections  :  punctures  dilated  deep,  imparting  a  rough 
appearance.  Antennse  and  scutel  black  :  thighs  rufous,  and  lower  half  of  tarsi  dark 
brown  or  black  :  prolhorax  with  a  lateral  tu))cvc]e,  occupying  nearly  a  central  posi- 
tion. 
This  beautiful  insect  is  quite  rare  in  the  >icinitv  of  Albany,  a  single  specimen  only 
having  been  observed. 

Leptura  octopunctata  (Say). 
Elytra  marked  with  eight  irregular-shaped  spots  or  dots,  smallest  upon  the  apex. 

Leptira  .  (Plate  XX vi,  fig.  11.) 

Color  black  (the  light  color  is  due  to  a  close  gray  nap).  Antennae  ten-jointed  :  first  some- 
what turbinate,  third  shortest,  second  the  next  shortest  j  the  three  first  black  or  dark 
brown,  the  remainder  rufous.  Pectus  and  thighs  brow'u,  and  a  stripe  beneath  the 
shoulders.  The  posterior  part  of  the  thorax  surrounded  by  a  sharp  ridge,  which 
extends  down  the  sides  :  this  ridge  is  bounded  by  grooves ;  and  before  it,  and  near 
the  middle,  are  two  elevations,  scarcely  tubercles  :  anteriorly  it  is  surrounded  by  a 
broad  groove.  Behind  the  antenna,  there  is  a  deep  depression  upon  the  median  line 
of  the  head.     Length  three  quarters  of  an  inch. 

Leptura  subpubescens.  (  Plate  viii,  fig.  11.) 

Color  black,  thinly  covered  with  luteous  hairs,  punctured  :  head  and  neck  roughened, 
covered  with  hairs.  Antennae  black ;  third  joint  shorter  than  the  fourth.  Elytra 
punctured,  rufous  or  dull  brick-red,  terminated  by  a  black  belt  extending  up  the 
outer  margin,  divergent  towards  the  apex  ;  apex  truncate.  Point  of  abdomen  exposed  : 
beneath  black,  submetallic. 


Genus  PACHYTA  (Serv.). 
•  Body  robust  :  thorax  subconical,  with  an  obsolete  obtuse  tubercle  on  each  side  ;  elytra 
short,  nearly  parallel ;  humeral  angles  not  very  prominent'  (  Westwood). 


128  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Pachyta  cordifera  (Oliv.).  (Plate  viii,  fig.  12.) 

'  Front  clothed  with  yellow  hair  ;  frontal  line  impressed.  Prothorax  much  widened  and 

biarcuate  posteriorly,  covered  with  yellow  hair,  and  having  the  median  line  obsolete. 

Elytra  divaricate,  and  separately  pointed  at  the  tip  :  a  minute  black  spot  at  the  basal 

angle,  and  another  ( sometimes  double )  between  it  and  the  large  median  macula. 

Length  nearly  half  an  inch '  (  Haldeman,  Longicoriiw,  Trans.  Am.  Phil.  Soc.  x,  59). 

A  variety,  hmaris,  also  described  in  the  same  worli,  is  black,  tomentose  :  venter  dull 

rufous  ;  elytra  yellow  ;  apex,  and  a  semicircular  macula  behind  the  middle  on  the  anterior 

margin,  black. 

Gkammoptera  .  (  Plate  xxvi,  fig.  3.) 

Body  black  :  eyes  black,  and  slightly  emarginate  on  the  inner  side ;  color  of  the  upper 
side  luteous.  Apex  of  the  elytra  black,  and  the  spot  toothed  on  thebagal  side.  Length 
half  an  inch. 


CHAPTER    X. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  (  Continued). 


PHYTOPHAGA. 

This  division  (  Eupoda  of  Latreille)  embraces  a  group  of  insects  whose  bodies  are  short, 
oval,  thick,  and  hemispherical  (for  an  example,  see  PI,  xiv,  11),  The  thorax  is  sometimes 
angular,  uniting  closely  with  the  base  of  tlie  elytra,  and  forming  with  them  a  circle  or  a 
broad  oval.  The  head  is  short, and  concealed  ;  theaiitennje  shorter  than  the  body,  filiform. 
The  insects  are  usually  small,  but  their  colors  are  lively  and  brilliant,  though  only  a  few 
are  metallic  in  this  climate  :  the  Eumolpus  is  one  of  the  brightest.  They  are  vegetable 
feeders  in  the  larva  and  perfect  states,  and  some  of  them  are  highly  injurious  ;  the  Haltica 
destroying  the  turnip  ci-op,  and  tlie  Crioceris  the  asparagus  plant. 

Crioceridse. 

The  body  is  oblong  in  this  family,  and  the  hindlegs  are  often  thickened  for  leaping.  The 
head  and  thorax  are  narrower  than  the  abdomen.  The  antennae  are  filiform,  or  only  slightly 
thickened  at  the  tips  :  they  are  inserted  before  the  eyes,  which  are  prominent,  Fotind 
upon  leaves  and  stems  of  trees. 

Crioceris  (  or  Lema  )  trilincata  ( Oliv.),  is  a  yellow  insect  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch 
long  ;  the  elytra  with  three  black  lines,  one  along  the  middle  of  the  back,  and  one  on 
each  side.  It  belongs  to  an  extensive  division  which  contains  many  species  that  are  de- 
structive to  garden  vegetation,  generally  devouring  the  leaves,  both  in  the  larva  and  the 
perfect  state.  The  species  here  cited  attacks  the  foliage  of  the  potato,  and  Dr.  Harris 
recommends  brushing  them  Into  shallow  vessels  of  salt  and  water,  or  vinegar. 

Crioceris  duodecimpunctata. 
Color  yellow  :  thorax  and  head  brownish ;  beneath,  yellow.   Elytra  punctate  in  many 
rows,  and  marked  with  six  black  spots  :  each  side  of  the  thorax  has  also  a  black 
stripe.  Tibial  extremity  of  the  femur  black,  as  well  as  the  tarsi.     Length  rather  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  inch. 
[  Agkiculturax  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  17 


130  ORDER    COI-EOPTERA. 

Cassididse. 

Genus  CASSIDA. 
Body  flattened  and  depressed  :  shield  or  elytra  dilated  on  all  sides,  concealing  the  head 
and  body. 

Cassida  CLAVATA.     Tortoisc  Bcetlc .  ( Plate  xiv,  fig.  11.) 

Head,  body  beneath,  legs,  and  antenna  luteous  :  eyes  black ' :  middle  of  the  elytra,  with 
the  four  angles  black  or  dark  brown ;  spaces  between,  together  with  the  extended 
dypeus  luteous  and  translucent. 

Odontota  scutellaris  (Oliv.),  His-pa  scutellaris  (Fab.).  This  insect  has,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Cecidomyia  rohinicB  (Hald.),  become  so  abundant  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  during 
the  last  few  years,  that  the  foliage  of  the  locust  trees  is  killed  towards  the  end  of  August, 
as  if  by  dry  weather.  It  is  nearly  one-fourth  of  an  inch  long,  of  a  tawny  color,  and  marked 
along  the  back  with  a  black  line. 

Chrysomelidae. 

Genus  EUMOLPUS. 
'Head  vertical  :  antennse  as  long  as  the  body,  thickened  at  the  tips'  (  Westwood). 

EuMOLPUs  AUH.\Tus  (Fab.). 
Head,  thorax,  body  beneath,  and  legs  brilliant  blue-green  :  elytra  golden  green.  The  feet 
and  antennse  incline  more  to  black,  yet  exhibit  the  coloring  described. 
It  inhabits  in  great  abundance  the  .^pocynum  andros  ami  folium,  and  is  found  in  July  and 
August. 

Genus  CIIRYSOMELA. 

Chrysomela  pinLADELPiiicA.  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  12.) 

Color  of  the  body  dark  green,  oblong,  naked.  Palpi,  legs  and  antennte  rufous  :  labrum 
hairy.  Front  and  margins  of  the  thorax  and  elytra  cream-color  :  lines  and  spots  of 
the  elytra,  posterior  segment  of  the  thorax,  and  scutel  green  :  inner  margin  of  the 
elytra  traversed  by  two  lines  ;  marginal  line  widened  towards  the  scutel ;  the  proxi- 
mate line  widened  also,  and  both  slightly  divergent.  Lines  punctured  in  rows  sur- 
rounding the  entire  thickened  border.  The  shoulders  of  the  elytra  marked  by  two 


V 


FAMILY    CHRYSOMELID^.  131 

green  spots  which  converge  to  each  other,  the  outer  the  largest  :  parallel  with  the 

marginal  line  there  are  three  large  spots  ;  the  remainder  are  scattered  and  smaller. 

The  dots  are  distributed  somewhat  irregulaily,  hut  there  is  a  tendency  to  arrangement 

in  rows,  as  at  the  base  of  the  elytra  and  along  the  lines  and  larger  spots. 

The  insect  from  which  the  description  is  drawn  is  rather  common,  but  it  does  not  agree 

with  the  descrijstion  of  the  philadelphica  by  Kirby,  who  makes  no  allusion  to  the  markings 

upon  the  thorax.  The  differences  I  regard  as  se^jual. 

In  a  few  plates,  I  observe  that  the  ground  color  is  too  greeji  :  it  should  be  pale,  or 
cream-color. 


Chrysomela  decipiens. 

Head,  thorax,  body  and  scute!  dark  green  :  elytra  silvery  white  or  white.  Sutural  line 
thickened,  and  divergent  near  the  scutel  :  the  parallel  and  proximate  lines  wide, 
divergent  before,  and  narrowed  towards  the  apex  ;  the  second  is  shorter,  and  united 
to  it ;  and  the  third  is  similar  to  two  heavy  dashes  united  at  their  points,  but  instead 
of  being  straight,  they  form  a  curve  divergent  from  the  other  lines  :  these  lines  are 
dotted.  The  shoulders  are  marked  by  a  heavy  dash  or  oblong  spot  :  two  other  spots 
are  situated  between  the  shoulder  spot  and  marginal  line  ;  the  upper  roundish,  and 
the  lower  oblong.  There  are  thirteen  spots  on  each  elytrum,  besides  those  already 
descriljed,  each  of  which  is  enclosed  by  a  row  of  dots.  Antcnnse,  palpi  and  legs  rufous. 
This  species  differs  from  the  preceding,  in  having  the  thorax  entirely  of  a  dark  green, 

and  also  in  the  distribution  and  form  of  the  lines  and  markings  upon  the  elytra. 

Chrysomela  scalaris.  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  10.) 

Head,  thorax,  body  and  scutel  dark  green  :  elytra  silvery  white.  Sutural  line  green,  and 

extending  to  the  base  :  a  coalescing  line  falls  into  it  just  below  the  scutel,  and  forms 

with  it  an  unequal  stripe.  There  are  two  oblique  dashes,  which  do  not  meet,  on  each 

elytrum.  The  sjjot  upon  the  shoulder  is  double,  and  prolonged  in  the  form  of  a  curve, 

and  there  is  another  curved  spot  between  the  shoulder  spots  and  sutural  line.  There 

are  three  coalescing  spots  upon  the  posterior  flexure  of  the  elytra.  The  other  spots  are 

arranged  somewhat  in  two  lines,  fiarallel  with  the  outer  margin  of  the  elytra ;  and 

there  is  a  solitary  dot  near  the  middle,  and  upon  the  outer  margin  of  the  elytra.  The 

dots  are  so  arranged  that  they  follow  the  boundaries  of  the  sjwts.  Anlennse,  palpi  and 

legs  rust-brown. 

In  the  specimen  figured,  a  brownish  color  predominated  instead  of  the  silvery  white  : 

it  may  be  a  distinct  sjiecies  from  the  scalaris,  and  is  found  in  the  autumn  upon  various 

plants. 


132  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Chrysomela  trimaculata.  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  10.) 

Head,  thorax,  body,  antennfe  and  legs  steel-blue.  Elytra  orange,  marked  with  a  broad 
black  band  extending  nearly  across  the  base,  and  two  large  triangular  black  spots 
near  the  apices  :  scutel  and  sutural  line  black.  The  margins  of  the  black  spots  are 
undulating.  The  punctures  of  the  elytra  are  arranged  in  lines.  Length  three-eighths 
of  an  inch. 
Found  in  great  abundance  in  Western  Massachusetts  and  New- York. 

Chrysomela  pulcheh. 
Head,  thorax  and  legs  purple  :  antennse,  body  and  palpi  brownish.  Elytra  luteons,  marked 
by  a  wide  black  longitudinal  stripe  along  the  middle.  Sutural  line  double  and  punc- 
tured r  margins  marked  by  two  narrow  black  punctate  lines,  which  coalesce  just 
below  the  middle. 

Chrysomela  . 

Head,  thorax,  body  and  legs  reddish  brown.  Elytra  yellow,  marked  by  a  broad  double 
longitudinal  brown  band ;  the  inner  separated  from  the  outer  by  a  curve,  leaving 
between  them  a  line  of  yellow,  acute  at  each  end.  Sutural  line  wide,  and  dilated  at 
the  base.  Scutel  reddish  brown  :  punctures  arranged  in  lines  parallel  with  the 
markings.  Length  nearly  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 
Inhabits  and  feeds  upon  the  Solidago.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  Western  Massachusetts, 
but  I  have  not  succeeded  in  finding  a  description  of  it. 

Chrysomela  c^erulipennis. 
Color  of  the  head,  elytra  and  body  beneath,  dark  blue ;  thorax  and  legs  dull  orange ; 
antennse  and  feet  blackish.  The  females  are  often  seen  walking  with  difficulty,  on 
account  of  the  great  distension  of  the  abdomen. 

Chrysomela  .  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  1 .) 

Heady  thorax,  antennse  and  body  steel-bine.  Elytra  luteous,  minutely  punctured  :  punc- 
tures on  the  margins  linear.  There  is  a  very  obscure  line  of  spots  or  dots  along  the 
suture,  scarcely  visible  without  the  aid  of  a  glass  :  the  tips  of  the  elytra  are  also  dark 
brown.     Autumn,  and  feeds  upon  the  Solidago, 

Chrysomela  .  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  2.) 

Head,  body  and  thorax  reddish  brown  ;  eyes  ))lack  :  elytra  yellowish  brown,  and  striped 
with  reddish  brown  or  ferruginous.  The  punctured  lines  are  also  reddish,  of  which 
there  are  about  ten  to  each  elytrum,  running  parallel  to  the  margins.     Length  one- 
fourth  of  an  inch. 
I  am  unable  to  determine  whether  it  is  a  described  species  or  not. 


FAMILY    GALERUCID^.  133 

Chrysomela  tremula.  (  Plate  xiv,  figs.  5,  6  &  7  :  larva  and  pupa.) 

Head,  thorax,  body,  antermse  and  legs  blue  :  elytra  brown,  finely  punctured. 
Foreign  :  its  larvse  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  the  poplar. 


Chrysomela  banksii. 
Immaculate,  obtusely  ovate  :  head  very  small ;  antennae  luteous  ;  thorax  with  the  lateral 
edges  thickened.  Color  dark  brown,  glossy,  impunctate.  Elytra  of  the  same  color  as 
the  thorax,  punctated  :  beneath,  the  same  color  as  above ;  soles  of  the  tarsi  cream- 
colored.     Length  nearly  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

Chrysomela  Americana. 
Form  ovate.  Color  brown,  glossy  :  eyes  black ;  thorax  and  head  impunctate.  Elytra  punc- 
tate in  four  double  rows,  besides  the  sutural  one  :  betAveen  the  rows  the  surface  is 
fiat,  impunctured,  and  of  a  brassy  bronze  reflection  ;  the  punctured  lines  are  purplish. 
Length  one-eighth  of  an  inch. 


Galemcidae. 

This  family  is  exemplified  by  those  very  common  striped  beetles  which  infest  and  destroy 
the  cucumber  plant.  They  are  oblong,  and  are  furnished  with  a  small  head  and  a  narrow 
thorax.  Their  antennae  are  about  half  as  long  as  their  bodies,  of  a  uniform  thickness,  and 
inserted  near  together  and  near  the  mouth.  Their  legs  are  of  an  equal  size,  though  in  some 
the  thighs  are  formed  for  leaping.  They  are  small  insects  and  vegetable  feeders,  and  often 
do  considerable  damage  in  gardens. 

The  family  is  divided  by  Westwood  into  two  subfamilies  :  1.  Galerucides;  2.  Hal- 

TICIDES. 

Galerncides. 

Genus  ADIMONIA  (Schrank). 
Antennse  eleven-jointed,  filiform  throughout,  and  nearly  equaling  the  body  in  length  : 
joints  mostly  cylindric ;  the  last  acute,  and  pointed  outwards ;  the  second  the  shortest, 
obconic ;  the  third  next  in  length,  the  two  equaling  the  first  or  fourth ;  the  remainder 
equaling  the  first  or  fourth  :  labrum  entire  :  palpi  indeterminate.  Head  small,  exsert : 
eyes  prominent  :  body  ovate,  elongate  :  legs  rather  long,  equal  or  subequal ;  poste- 
rior thighs  only  moderately  incrassate. 


^» 


134  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

Adimouia  .  (  Plate  xiv,  fig.  4.) 

Color  yellowish  green  :  head  and  its  appendages  black.  A  dejircssion  and  two  eminences 

bfhind  the  antenna.  The  three  first  antennfe  yellowish  green ;  on  the  outer  side, 

brown ;  the   remahider  dark  brown  or  black  :  pectus  black  :  abdomen  yellowish 

green.  Thorax  greenish  yellow  iiredomiuatiug,  immaculate  :  two  slight  indentations 

on  each  side,  with  a  slight  lateral  ridge  or  dilatation.  Elytra  pale  green,  marked  with 

eleven  black  rather  quadrangular  spots  :  most  of  them  have  their  angles  rounded,  so 

as  to  approach  an  o^al  form  ;  the  basal  spot  is  common  to  both  elytra.  Legs  black  : 

upper  half  of  the  thighs  greenish.     Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

It  will  be  evident  from  the  above  generic  and  specific  descriptions,  that  this  insect  is 

neither  a  Galeruca,  Lema  or  Haltica,  and  probably  not  an  Adimonia  :  it  belongs,  however, 

to  the  vast  family  GALEra'ciD^E.  It  is  rather  common  in  September  and  October  on  the 

asters  and  solidagos.  Either  the  descriptions  within  my  reach  are  faulty,  or  else  it  has  not 

been  described. 

Lema  trivittata. 
Rufous  :  thorax  and  head  rufous ;  the  furmer  puuctiued  transversely  at  its  base,  and 
marked  with  two  black  dots.  Elytra  marked  with  longitudinal  black  stripes,  the 
middle  sutural  :  punctures  arranged  in  lines.  Antennfe  black ;  first  joint  rufous  : 
lower  tibia  and  tarsi  black.  One  variety  more  rufous,  and  marked  with  wider  stripes 
and  larger  dots  upon  the  thorax  :  sometimes  the  dots  are  absent. 
Resembles  the  striped  cucumber-bug. 

Galeruca  vittata. 
Color  yellow  :  head  black.  Elytra  marked  with  three  black  longitudinal  stripts,  including 
the  sutural  one  :  abdomen  black  ;  forelegs  mostly  of  that  color  :  knees  and  feet  o 
the  other  legs  black. 
This  insect  is  troublesome  to  various  vines,  and  especially  to  young  cucumber  vines 
when  not  of  a  vigorous  growth.  The  best  remedy  is  to  secure  a  strong  and  rapid  growth  : 
other  remedies,  which  are  more  or  less  successful,  are,  washing  the  plant  with  offensive 
liquors,  or  sprinkling  them  with  strong-scented  powders.  Tobacco  in  its  various  forms, 
whale-oil  soap,  etc.  are  all  more  or  less  useful. 

Galeruca  calmariensis  (  Lin.).  (  Plate  xii,  fig.  12.) 

This  is  a  European  insect,  which  has  Ijecn  introduced  in'.o  this  country  about  Baltimore. 
It  is  destructive  to  the  foliage  of  the  elm.  It  is  about  one-fourth  of  an  inch  long,  and  is 
described  by  Mr.  Stephens  as  follows  :  '  Oblong-ovate  ;  ;  bove  testaceous,  deeply  punc- 
tured :  crown,  furrow  on  the  thorax,  scutellum,  a  dash  uii  the  elytra,  breast  and  ba^e  of 
abdomen,  black  ;  apex  of  the  abdomen  and  base  of  the  antennse.  testaceous. 


FAMILY    GALERUCID^.  135 

(Edionychus  thoracica. 
Color  of  the  elytra  blue  purplit^h,  immaculate  :  thorax  luteous,  marked  witli  eight  black 
dots  ;  outer  margin  luteous.  The  outer  half  of  the  tarsal  joints  and  antennse  luteous  ; 
the  rest  purplish. 

Halticidcs. 

Genus  HALTICA. 
<  Form  oblong-ovate  :  thorax  narrower  than  tlie  elytra ;  posterior  tarsi  short '  (  West- 
wood). 
This  genus  comprises  many  species,  all  of  which  ai-e  small,  and  whose  posterior  legs  are 
formed  for  leaping.  They  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  vegetables,  more  especially  upon  the 
cruciform  plants,  as  mustard,  radish  and  turnip  ;  the  latter  of  which  often  suffers  exceed- 
ingly, in  consequence  of  the  insects  eating  the  young  and  succulent  leaves,  perforating 
them  like  a  sieve.  Their  colors  are  often  brilliant. 


Haltica  chalybea. 
Body  oblong  oval  :  thorax  jnarkcd  with  a  transverse  furrow.  Color  steel-blue,  but  variable 
and  passing  into  greeuisli  blue  :  underside  green  ;  antennse  and  feet  black.     Length 
from  one-sixth  to  one-fifth  of  an  inch. 

David  Thomas,  of  Cayuga  county,  has  given  in  Silliuian's  Journal  an  account  of  this 
species  of  Haltica.  This  excellent  observer  noticed  that  liis  vine  leaves  were  infested  with 
a  small  smooth  chestnut-colored  larva ;  and  on  feeding  them  in  a  tmnbler  partly  filled 
with  earth,  they  came  to  maturity  and  buried  themselves,  and  in  tw'o  weeks  afterw'ards 
came  out  the  perfect  insect,  after  having  undergone  their  transformation.  The  larva  feeds 
upon  the  tender  fruit  buds  while  in  a  growing  state,  and  hence  destroys  the  fruit  for  the 
season.  The  use  of  a  solution  of  whale-oil  soap  would  undoubtedly  protect  the  vine,  and 
drive  away  the  insects. 

The  cucumber  is  infested  with  another  species  of  Haltica,  which  has  received  the  name 
of  H.  cucumeris  from  Dr.  Harris.  It  is  black,  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  long,  with  clay 
yellow  antennse  and  legs,  excei:)t  the  hindmost,  which  is  brown  :  the  thorax  is  marked  by 
a  deep  transverse  furrow  (  Harris). 

Another  is  the  wavy  striped  beetle,  Haltica  striolata,  and  feeds  upon  the  horse-radish, 
mustard  and  turnip ;  in  which  respect  it  resemljles  the  European  species,  which  feeds 
upon  and  destroys  the  tiunip  crop. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


ORDER  I.     COLEOPTERA  (Continued). 


PSEUDOTRIMERA. 

This  division  of  coleopterous  insects  constitutes  the  Trimeka  of  Latreille.  Taliiug  the 
number  of  joints  in  the  tarsi,  the  division  would  be  represented  by  insects  supplied  with 
only  three  tarsal  joints  :  on  close  inspection,  however,  it  is  found  that  there  is  a  small 
joint  in  the  lobes  of  the  second.  The  form  of  the  insect  is  oval,  sometimes  hemispherical : 
the  elytra  cover  the  abdomen.  They  often  feed  upon  the  Jiphis,  and  thus  perform  a  useful 
service  to  gardeners  and  farmers.  Their  colors  are  often  bright,  and  their  thorax  and  elytra 
marked  in  various  places  by  dots  and  spots  (See  Plate  xi,  all  the  figures  ;  and  letters  a, 
b,  c,  d,  larva  and  pupa  state  of  the  Coccinella). 

Coccinellidtie. 

Coccinella  borealis  (  Lin.).  (  Plate  xi,  fig  8.) 

Color  luteous  :  eyes  black.  Thorax  marked  with  four  black  dots,  the  largest  behind  upon 
the  central  line,  and  pointed  backwards.  Elytra  marked  with  seven  black  dots  each,  the 
largest  situated  towards  the  apex,  and  two  upon  the  sutural  line.  Beneath  luteous  :  breast 
black. 

Coccinella  incarnata.  (  Plate  xi,  fig.  7.) 

Flesh-colored  above.  Thorax  marked  with  two  large  transverse  black  spots  ;  elytra  with 
seven  black  spots  each,  or  eleven  as  they  appear  when  closed,  three  being  common  to 
each  (  Rich.  Faun.  Bor.). 

Coccinella  quinquemaculata.  (  Plate  xi,  fig.  5.) 

Body  black  :  thorax  black ;  anterior  angles  white  :  elytra  tawny ;  base  banded,  and 
marked  with  four  black  spots,  the  middle  spots  quadrangular.  Length  about  three 
lines. 


FAMILY    COCClNELLIi)^.  137 

CoccixELLA  20-MAcuLATA.  (  Plate  xi,  fig.  4.) 

Color  pale  honey-yellow,  marked  with  twenty  black  spots  somewhat  confluent  on  the 

middle  of  the  elytra.     Insect  quite  small. 

In  some  of  the  plates  the  green  coloring  is  too  deep.  There  is  a  variable  state  of  the 

ground  color  :  sometimes  it  is  entirely  pale  honey-yellow  ;  in  other  instances,  there  is  a 

grayish  green  tinge. 

COCCINELLA    KOVEMXOTATA,  (  Plate  Xl,    fig.  6.) 

Color  luteous  and  reddish,  marked  with  nine  black  spots  ;  one  common  to  each  elytrum, 
situated  near  the  base.  Thorax  black,  margined  in  front  with  jjale  honey-yellow  :  the 
black  portion  extends  in  front  towards  the  head  :  body  blacJv.  The  color  of  the  elytra 
is  somewhat  variable,  yellow  and  redtlish  predominating  each  in  difierent  individuals. 

COCCINELLA    I5IMACULATA.  (  Plate  Xl,    fig.  9.) 

Color  luteous  :  thorax  black,  margined  with  pale  honey-yellow  or  whitish  :  elytra  im- 
maculate :  body  black.  The  flank  of  the  thorax  is  quadridentate. 
This  insect  does  not  agree  with  Mr.  Say's  description  in  ever}'  particular,  still  it  is  not 
so  different  as  to  preclude  the  idea  that  it  is  a  variety. 

C0CCINELL.\    EIMACDLATA.  (PlatCXl,    flgS.  10,    11.) 

Color  ferruginous,  verging  into  luteous.  Thorax  varied  with  black  and  white  ;  the  white 
dilated  margins  being  marked  with  a  black  dot,  the  black  arranged  in  the  form  of 
two  decussating  wide  lines.  Head  marked  with  a  central  black  line,  which  divaricates 
posteriorly,  or  sends  off  branches  to  the  eyes.  Elytra  marked  usually  with  a  single 
black  dot  :  bodv  black  beneath. 


COCCINELLA    TRIOCULATA. 

The  black  spot  upon  the  elytra  is  larger  than  in  the  preceding  species,  and  the  dilated 
white  margins  of  the  thorax  are  immaculate  :  the  color  of  the  insect  is  paler.  The  abdo- 
men is  black,  bordered  with  laifous. 


COCCINELLA    DUODECIMNOTAT.i. 

Body  black  :  head  black  and  quadridentate  in  front,  margined  with  luteous  :  thorax 
black,  marked  with  two  oblique  rectangular  spots,  and  margined  with  luteous.  Spots 
of  the  elytra  twelve,  and  none  of  them  sutural. 

[Agricultural  Repout  —  Vox,,  v.]  18 


133  ORDER    COLEOPTERA. 

COCCINELLA    ABBREVIATA. 

Elytra  ferruginous,  marked  with  eight  black  dots  situated  between  the  middle  and  the 
apices.  Thorax  black,  with  fuscous  angular  spots,  and  margined  with  fuscous. 


COCCINELLA    TEANSVERSOGUTTATA. 

Elytra  marked  with  four  black  dots  arranged  in  a  tine  across  the  middle. 


COCCINELLA    BINOTATA. 

Color  black,  with  two  brown-red  spots  in  the  centre  of  each  elytrum.  Margin  of  the  thorax 
white. 

COCCINELLA    DECIMMACULATA.  (  Plate  xi,   fig.  4.) 

Color  red,  deep  flesh-red  and  purple.  Head  and  thorax  marked  with  two  black  spots ; 
elytra  with  ten,  one  common  to  both  at  or  near  the  scutellum,  and  another  below  the 
middle  upon  the  sutui-e  :  body  and  legs  black.    Length  about  two  lines. 


CHAPTER    XII. 


ORDER  11.     EUPLEXOPTERA(Westwood). 


This  order  of  insects  (the  Dermaptera  of  Leach)  is  extremely  small  as  to  numbers,  but 
the  individual  species  are  widely  distributed.  It  bears  a  relationship  to  the  orders  Coleo- 
PTERA  and  Orthoptera,  having  by  diiferent  naturalists  been  placed  in  each  :  it  is,  how- 
ever, regarded  as  having  a  closer  affinity  with  the  latter  than  with  the  former,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  peculiar  structm-e  and  foldings  of  the  wings.  In  the  structure  of  the  mouth, 
and  the  transformation  of  the  Insect,  it  corresponds  to  the  orthopter,  but  to  the  coleoptera 
in  the  folding  of  the  wings.  The  oixier  is  characterized  thus  by  Westwood  : 

'Anterior  wings  leathery,  very  small  and  uniting  in  a  straight  sutui-e,  horizontal,  partially 
covering  the  wings.  Posterior  wings  large  with  radiating  nerves,  and  with  numerous 
transverse  and  longitudinal  folds.  Mouth  with  transversely  movable  jaws,  the  poste- 
rior pair  being  galeated.  Anus  forcipated.  Pupa  semicomplete,  active,  resembling  the 
imago,  but  with  rudimental  wings.' 
The  type  of  this  order  of  insects  is  the  common  earwig,  an  insect  far  more  notorious  in 
other  countries  than  in  this.  It  will  be  readily  recognized  by  its  elongated  form,  its  short 
wings  like  the  Staphylinus,  and  the  forked  armature  of  its  abdomen,  which  forms  an  organ 
of  offence  as  well  as  defence.  Its  habits  are  somewhat  peculiar  :  it  is  nocturnal,  and  goes 
abroad  for  its  food  by  night ;  but  with  the  appearance  of  light,  it  seeks  to  hide  itself  in 
holes  and  crevices  where  it  can  escape  observation.  Tradition  affirms  that  it  creeps  into 
the  ear,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  there  any  facts  to  sustain  the  assertion. 

The  Forficula  is  a  vegetable  feeder,  subsisting  upon  flowers,  fruits,  etc.,  and  is  regarded 
as  an  injurious  insect.  Hence  the  English  gardeners  take  advantage  of  its  propensities, 
by  placing  in  proximity  to  the  flowers  and  vegetables  they  wish  to  protect,  crab's  claws, 
or  narrow  reeds  closed  at  one  end,  into  which  the  insect  takes  shelter,  where  it  is  readily 
captured  and  destroyed. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


ORDER  III.     ORTHOPTERA  (Olivier). 

This  order  ( the  Hemiptera  of  Linn^us)  embraces  those  insects  whose  wings,  when  at 
rest,  are  i'okled  longitudinally  upon  the  body,  and  present  a  straight  outline  :  for  this 
reason  they  have  received  the  designation  ort/iopfera,  which  literally  means  straight-unnged. 
In  this  name,  then,  we  perceive  one  of  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  the  order.  In 
'^  dition,  however,  to  this  single  character,  we  find  their  wings  folded  like  a  fan  :  they 
"  ve  also  a  pair  corresponding  to  the  elytra  in  beetles,  which  are  of  a  leathery  consistence, 
and  perform  the  same  office,  that  of  protecting  the  delicate  wing  beneath.  Their  wings 
and  wing-covers  are  deflected  upon  the  sides  of  the  body,  forming  an  angle  with  the  top, 
and,  besides  these  peculiarities,  they  overlap  each  other  upon  the  back.  By  this  arrange- 
ment, the  males  are  furnished  with  organs  wherewith  to  produce  different  sounds,  while 
a  particular  modification  of  the  organ  enables  each  species  to  tbrm  its  peculiar  note. 

Orthopterous  insects  are  provided  with  jaws  which  move  transversely,  similar  to  beetles, 
and  hence  the  name  mandihulata  applies  to  them. 

Another  and  still  more  important  characteristic  is  found  in  the  kind  of  metamorphosis 
they  undergo.  In  this  respect,  they  differ  greatly  from  beetles  and  the  butterflies  :  their 
metamorphoses  or  transformations  are  incomplete ;  their  young,  in  the  early  stages  of  life, 
resemljle  the  parents  in  miniature,  their  wings  being  the  most  imperfect  parts  ;  they  eat 
and  move  about  lilce  the  adult,  and,  like  the  young  in  other  classes,  they  grow  until  they 
reach  the  perfect  state.  From  these  comparisons,  we  see  why  they  should  be  separated  from 
the  beetles,  and  placed  by  themselves  in  an  order  expressive  of  the  characteristics  that 
belong  to  them. 

The  order  has  been  divided  into  four  sections,  formed  from  differences  of  habit  due  to 
the  peculiar  construction  of  the  organs  of  locomotion.  The  sections  have  received  their 
names  from  the  modes  in  which  these  organs  are  used  :  the  first  embraces  the  runners, 
Ort/iopfcra  cursoria  ;  the  second,  the  graspers,  Orthoptera  raptoria  ;  the  third,  the 
WALKERS,  Orthoptera  amhulatoria  ;  and  the  fourth,  the  jumpers,  Orthoptera  saltatoria. 

In  the  section  comprising  the  runners,  we  find  the  cockroaches ;  in  that  of  the  graspers, 
the  mantis,  whose  forelegs  are  used  as  arms  and  hands ;  in  that  of  the  walkers,  the 
walkingstick?  ;  and  in  the  sectioH  of  jumpers,  the  grasshoppers  and  locusts, 


FAMILY    BLATTID^.  141 

The  arrangement  seems  to  be  clear  and  satislactory,  and  yet  it  will  be  seen;  as  in  most 
other  ai-raugements,  that  the  lines  of  demarkation  are  imperfectly  drawn  ;  for  in  the  section 
containing  tlie  cockroaches  and  earwigs,  the  insect  possesses  the  power  of  flight  :  still  it 
is  probably  sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes. 

Some  of  tlie  species  of  orthopterous  insects  are  extremely  proliiic  :  thus  cockroaches 
become  innumerable,  and  locusts  api)ear  in  clouds  that  darken  the  sky  ;  and,  even  in  our 
own  more  favored  country,  Avho  has  not  seen  the  red-legged  grasshopper  multiply  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  devour  all  the  herbage  of  hundreds  of  acres ! 


Bl'cittidcW 

This  family  {Cursoria,  the  runners)  is  represented  by  the  well-known  and  troublesome 
cockroach.  The  body  is  oval,  flattened  :  wings  coriaceous,  with  their  inner  margins  over- 
lapping each  other.  The  thorax  is  large,  often  concealing  the  head  :  antennae  long,  simple 
and- setaceous,  being  formed  of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  joints;  mandibles 
short,  strong,  and  toothed  at  the  tip  ;  upper  lip  entire  ;  labium  biiid  ;  eyes  kidney-shaped ; 
le<TS  long,  formed  for  running  ;  tarsi  five-jointed ;  abdomen  furnished  with  two  articulated 
processes.     The  males  are  smaller  than  the  females. 

We  have  several  species  of  cockroach,  which  either  inhabit  fields  or  woody  places.  The 
common  domestic  one  {Blatta  orientalis)  is  an  imported  kind,  and  is  very  troublesome  in 
basements,  cellars,  etc. ;  while  the  former,  or  indigenous  species,  never  comes  into  our 
dwellings. 

The  methods  that  have  been  proposed  for  destroying  the  domestic  cockroach  are  nume- 
rous :  they  consist  in  the  use  of  substances  which  are  generally  poisonous,  and  therefore 
should  be  used  with  due  precaution.  Arsenic,  red  lead,  or  other  mineral  poisons  may  be 
mixed  with  mashed  potatoes  or  meal,  and  set  upon  the  shelves,  floors,  etc.  frequented  by 
the  insects  ;  and  as  they  are  fond  of  almost  every  kind  of  vegetaljle  mixture,  they  greedily 
devour  the  mess,  and  are  speedily  poisoned. 

These  insects  penetrate  the  most  hidden  parts  of  a  building,  even  into  the  brick  Avork 
of  walls,  where  their  young  are  frequently  produced.  They  sometimes  disappear  from  the 
premises  without  any  known  cause  :  at  other  times,  their  numl^ers  greatl)-  diminish  in  a 
short  period  of  time. 

Blatta  nivea.  '  ( Plate  xlvi,  fig.  7.) 

'  Head  and  antennfe  yellow ;  thorax  and  abdomen  pale  green ;  wings  and  wing-covers 
white  and  transparent ;  legs  and  underside  of  the  abdomen  pale  yellowish  green ' 
(Drury,  Vol.  ii,  p.  39,  f.  1). 


142  ORDER   ORTHOPTERA. 

Mantidse. 

This  family,  which  succeeds  the  cursores  or  runners  in  the  natural  arrangement,  consists 
of  insects  technically  called  raptores  or  graspers.  The  larger  and  more  remarkable  species, 
of  which  the  Mantis  is  one,  are  not  found  in  New- York  or  New-England,  but  smaller  kinds 
are  occasionally  met  with.  Plate  vii,  fig.  4,  exhibits  the  structure  of  an  insect  similar  to  the 
mantis,  which  takes  its  prey  by  grasping  or  seizing  it  with  its  forelegs.  Its  habits,  too,  are 
much  like  those  of  the  mantis  :  it  remains  motionless  upon  a  twig  or  limb  of  a  bush,  in  a 
sitting  posture  with  its  front  parts  elevated,  until  a  desirable  object  comes  within  its  reach. 
The  family  are  all  carnivorous,  and  hence  aid  in  diminishing  the  number  of  vegetable 
feeders. 

Pliasmidse. 

The  insects  of  this  family  {.'Imhulatoria,  the  walkers)  are  distinguished  by  the  undeveloped 
state  of  the  wings,  or  by  their  total  absence.  One  or  two  of  these  remarkable  animals  are 
found  in  New-England  and  New-York  :  they  are  commonly  called  v)alkingsticks,  and  the 
most  common  species  is  the 

Spectrum  femoratum  (Say).  '  ( Plate  vii,  figs.  1,  2.) 

Apterous  :  intermediate  thighs  dilated,  and  furnished  with  a  spine  near  the  tip  ;  posterior 

also  spinous. 

The  color  of  the  male  is  greenish  with  a  mixture  of  brown,  especially  on  the  forelegs 

and  the  tibia  and  tarsi  of  the  others  :  abdomen  equalling  the  body,  and  furnished  with 

nine  segments,  terminated  with  two  curved  appendages.  Female  brownish,  thick,  with  the 

trunk  and  abdomen  nearly  twice  their  size  in  the  male  :  legs  greenish,  but  less  so  than  in 

the  male  ;  the  thighs  less  dilated. 

This  species  is  rather  common,  in  the  months  of  August  and  September,  in  the  vicinity 

of  Albany  and  in  Western  Massachusetts. 

• 

Saltatorcs. 

This  section  {Saltatoria,  the  jumpers)  is  represented  by  the  common  cricket,  and  embraces 
those  insects  whose  tarsi  are  three-jointed,  antennse  setaceous,  head  large,  with  a  convex 
crown,  and  inserted  deeply  into  the  thorax  ;  with  ovate  eyes,  and  two  or  three  ocelli.  The 
thorax  is  truncated  in  front ;  elytra  horizontal ;  body  elongate  ;  wings  folded  longitudinal- 
ly ;  abdomen  cylindric ;  legs  stout  and  short ;  tarsi  without  foot-cushions  between  the 
claws. 


FAMILY    ACHETID-«.  143 


Aclietidac. 

ACHETA   ABBREVIATA. 

Color  black  :  elytra  turgid,  brownish  postei'iorly  ;  abdominal  appendages  elongated  and 
pilose ;  posterior  tarsi  armed  with  a  double  row  of  spines. 

Crickets  are  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and  hence  seek  their  food  and  their  mates  in  the 
evening.  If  numerous,  they  become  injurious  in  gardens  ;  feeding  upon  the  different  kinds 
of  fruit,  melons,  tomatoes,  potatoes,  beets,  etc. :  when  in  fields,  they  eat  the  tender  grass. 
They  are  not,  however,  confined  to  a  vegetable  diet,  but  they  kill  and  devour  such  insects 
as  they  can  overpower.  The  insect  lays  its  eggs  in  autumn  :  they  hatch  in  the  spring,  and 
the  young  are  three  years  in  coming  to  maturity. 

To  diminish  the  number  of  crickets  in  gardens,  arsenic  may  be  resorted  to. 

The  mole  cricket,  Grillotalpa  hrevipennis,  differs  from  the  common  cricket  in  the  dilated 
form  of  the  tibia,  the  lower  side  of  which  is  strongly  notched  to  fit  them  for  burrowing. 
These  notches  have  a  distant  resemblance  to  fingers,  and  they  give  to  the  organ  the  power 
of  a  hand.  From  the  construction  of  the  forelegs,  then,  and  the  use  to  which  they  are 
applied,  the  species  has  received  the  name  of  mole  cricket.  They  are  fawn-colored,  and 
covered  with  short  velvety  down  :  they  reside  in  soft  moist  soil,  and  throw  up  ridges  of 
loose  earth ;  they  feed  upon  roots,  and,  if  numerous,  might  do  considerable  damage  :  they 
are,  however,  rarely  seen,  and  the  effect  of  their  feeding  is  scarcely  perceptible.  Length 
about  one-fourth  of  an  inch. 

No  one,  who  takes  much  notice  of  the  habits  of  insects,  but  must  have  observed  the 
extreme  timidity  of  the  cricket.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  field  crickets  :  when  they 
issue  from  their  dwellings,  it  is  with  extreme  caution  ;  and  when  the  slightest  approach 
of  danger  is  visible,  they  seek  at  once  their  asylum,  and  do  not  again  appear  abroad  until 
all  their  suspicions  are  allayed. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  black  cricket  flies  well ;  but  it  has  been  observed  by  natura- 
lists upon  whom  we  may  place  confidence,  that  field  crickets  never  use  their  wings.  This 
I  believe  is  mainly  true ;  but  yet  frequently  when  they  are  pursued,  they  spread  their 
wings,  and  make  a  more  extended  leap  by  then-  use.  Tlieir  wings  are  not  defective  in 
construction,  but  seem  to  be  well  organized  and  fitted  for  flying.  The  males,  it  is  said, 
carry  on  a  destructive  warfare  upon  each  other  during  the  breeding  season. 

In  some  crickets  the  wings  are  undeveloped  :  some  species  prefer  damp  and  even  wet 
places  ;  others,  dry  and  stony. 

Crickets  have  been  destroyed  in  great  numbers  by  placing  in  their  way  vials  half-filled 
with  beer,  into  which  they  crowd  and  are  drowned. 


144  ORDER    ORTHOP-TER.A. 


Gryllidae. 

This  ftimily  (the  Grasshoppers)  is  characterized  by  the  possession  of  four  jointed  tarsi,  long 
setaceous  antennae,  a  large  vertical  head  and  convex  forehead,  vertical  proniinent  eyes,  a 
thorax  flat  above,  and  its  sides  suddenly  deflexed  and  rounded  behind  :  body  more  or  less 
compressed ;  the  breast  furnished  with  two  oval  foliated  plates ;  elytra  coriaceous,  de- 
scending the  sides ;  abdomen  compressed  slightly,  and  furnished  in  the  male  with  two 
processes,  and  in  the  female  with  an  ovipositor.  The  legs  are  long  behind,  witli  thickened 
thighs  and  spines. 

Platyphyllum  concavom  (Harris).     Katydid.  (  Plate  ix,  fig.  1.) 

Color  of  the  body  pale  brown ;  elytra  and  wings,  grass-green.  Antennfe  long,  setaceous, 
yellowish,  dilated  at  the  base ;  eyes   prominent,  hemispherical ;    head  greenish, 
brownish  on  the  top,  front  ridged,  terminating  between  the  antennee  in  a  triangular 
apex  :  thorax  greenish,  rough,  its  integument  saddle-shaped.  In  males  the  musical 
apparatus  occupies  a  triangular  space,  covered  with  a  dense  parchment-like  membrane. 
Elytra  narrowed  before,  dilated  behind  and  laterally  widest  near  the  extremity  of  the 
abdomen,  and  longer  than  the  wings  :  nervures  consist  of  one  principal  trunk,  sending 
off  numerous  branches  Ijelow  at  right  angles  to  it.  Wings  nar-rower  and  shorter  than 
the  wing-covers  ;  branches  of  the  nervures  two.  Legs  green  :  tibise  quadrate ;  each 
corner  serrate  or  short  spinous.  Body  of  the  male  over  one  inch  long.  The  female  is 
furnished  with  a  curved  ovipositor  (see  the  figure)  about  one  fourth  of  an  inch  long, 
and  both  sexes  with  two  projections  between  the  forelegs.  The  wing-covers,  in  their 
natural  position,  form  a  convex  covering  extending  in  the  female  far  enough  to  cover 
the  ovipositor. 
The  katydid  is  in  its  state  of  perfection  in  September  :  the  female,  about  this  time, 
deposits  her  eggs  in  a  row  upon  the  twigs  of  the  tree  she  inhabits.  Dr.  Harris  describes 
the  musical  instrument  as  consisting  of  a  pair  of  taborets  :  they  are  formed  of  the  mem- 
brane already  spoken  of,  which  is  situated  at  the  base  of  the  wing-covers.  This  parchment- 
like membrane  is  stretched  upon  a  strong,  half  oval  frame,  fitted  into  the  space  at  the  base 
of  the  thorax.  Their  notes  are  emitted  during  the  evening  and  night,  and  sometimes  in 
dark  lowering  weather  in  the  afterpart  of  the  day.  It  is  not  common,  neither  is  it  easy  to 
discover  the  retreats  of  this  singular  insect  :  the  color  of  their  wing-covers  favors  their 
concealment  among  the  foliage  of  the  trees. 

The  katydid  feeds  upon  leaves  ;  but  it  would  not  comport  with  the  truth,  to  charge  it 
with  doing  much  damage  to  the  farmer. 


FAMILY    LOCUSTIDiE.  145 

Phylloptera  oblongifolia. 
Tliis  species  diflers  from  the  preceding  in  having  the  wing-covers  narrower,  flat  and  not 
concave,  the  true  wings  extending  beyond  them,  and  they  are  deflected  down  tlie  sides 
aliruptly.  The  most  distinctive  cliaracteristic  is  the  absence  of  tlie  projecting  integuments 
between  the  forelegs. 

Phanehoptera  angustifolia  (  Harris).  (  Plate  ix,  fig.  1.) 

Color  brownish  green  :  wings  and  wing-covers  green,  the  former  narrow,  their  upper  and 
lower  edges  being  nearly  parallel,  forming  an  organ  equal  in  width  except  at  and 
towards  the  base,  shorter  than  the  wings  and  rounded  behind.  Abdomen  terminated 
in  the  male  by  a  short  projection,  which  curves  upward.  The  wings  do  not  conceal 
the  body.  Length  of  the  body,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  ;  the  whole  length,  about 
the  same  as  the  katydid. 
The  habits  of  the  tliree  foregoing  species  are  much  the  same,  each  kind  coming  to  per- 
fection in  September  ;  but  the  sounds  they  emit  are  difierent. 

Locustidae. 

The  name  locust  is  applied  usually  in  this  country  to  our  harvest-fly,  which  is  commonly 
called  the  seventeen-year  locust.  The  term  locust,  however,  is  here  improperly  applied,  in- 
asmuch as  the  insects  which  have  been  known  from  time  immemorial  as  locusts  belong  to 
a  different  order  from  the  harvest-flies.  The  rule  of  priority  should  he,  regarded  in  this 
instance  ;  and,  beside.s,  the  name  harvest-fly  is  sufficiently  appropriate.  The  true  locusts, 
on  the  other  hand,  have  been  called  grasshoppers  ;  a  term  which,  by  better  usage,  belongs 
to  the  green  insects  of  which  the  katydid  is  an  example.  The  true  locusts  possess  the 
following  characters  :  their  antennte  are  shorter,  and  usually  filiform  ;  the  elytra  longer 
than  the  body,  though,  in  forms  removed  from  the  typical,  they  become  abbreviated  and 
distorted.  The  ovipositor  of  females  is  not  exserted. 

Genus  LOCUSTA. 
Antennae  filiform,  inserted  into  a  slight  depression  between  the  eyes  :  head  large  ;  eyes 
ovate  ;  thorax  fiu'nished  with  a  central  sharp  ridge  ;  elytra  longer  than  the  abdomen  : 
four  anterior  legs  subequal,  short ;  posterior  long,  and  formed  for  leaping;  tibise  all 
furnished  with  a  doul^le  row  of  spines. 

LocusTA  CAROLINA.  (  Plate  ix,  fig.  9.) 

Color  brown,  variegated  with  darker  spots  :  wings  black,  margined  with  yellow ;  apex 
spotted  with  brown  or  blackish.     Length  an  inch  and  a  half;  breadth,  or  expansion 
of  wings,  nearly  three  inches.     Common  liy  roadsides. 
[  AcuitULfL'KAL  REroRr—  Vol.  V :]  19 


146  ORDER   ORTHOPTERA- 

LOCUSTA    COKALLINA. 

Color  light  browu,  sometimes  dark.  The  wing-covers  are  marked  towards  their  tips  with 
a  triai}gu!ar  yellowisli  spot,  and  two  or  three  others  on  the  same  line  more  or  less 
obscure.  Anterior  border  of  the  wings  brown  and  variegated  :  the  base  is  vermilion, 
and  widely  bordered  with  brown  or  dusky  and  nebulous  ;  the  inner  portion  of  the 
border  darker  than  the  outer,  and  the  apex  is  still  darker  or  more  dusky. 
Appears  early  in  the  spring  :  is  rather  smaller  than  the  preceding,  and  more  active. 

Locust A  sulphurea. 
Color  brown,  rather  uniform  in  this  respect,  the  wing-covers  rather  lighter  at  the  apex  j 
base  of  the  wings  sulphur-yellow,  varying  in  brightness  in  different  individuals ; 
margin  broadly  bordered  with  dusky,  which  extends  in  a  sharp  triangular  patch  upon 
the  three  nervures  towards  the  base  ;  wing  translucent,  darker  at  the  apex :  abdomen 
yellowish. 
This  is  subequal  to  the  corallina,  appears  rather  later  in  the  season,  and  frequents  dry 
places. 

Locusta  inebulosa"?  (Harris).  (  Plate  ix,  fig.  7.) 

Color  browu  :  thorax  ridged,  or  furnished  with  a  keel-like  elevation,  and  divided  in  the 
middle  by  a  transverse  fissure  ;  wings  transparent,  with  a  duskiness  of  the  anterior 
margin  ;  thighs  banded  transversely  with  yellowish  and  brown  ;  tibiije  brown. 
This  species,  though  very  common  in  Western  Massachusetts,  is  described  in  part  from 
the  figure,  the  original  specimen  being  lost.  So  far  as  I  can  determine  under  the  circum- 
stances, it  is  the  nebulosa  of  Harris,  and  yet  he  does  not  speak  of  the  banded  markings  of 
the  thighs  :  in  other  respects,  it  agrees  with  his  description  of  that  species. 

Gfnus  ACRYDIUM. 
This  genus  differs  from  Locusta,  in  having  a  spine  beneath,  between  the  forelegs  :  the 
ridge  upon  the  top  of  the  thorax  is  wanting  or  obsolete  ;  and  the  antenna  are  generally 
longer,  in  consequence  of  the  joints  being  more  elongated,  consisting  of  24  or  25  joints. 

ACRYDIUM    FEMORRUBRUM.  (  Plate  ix,    fig.  4.) 

Color  olive-brown  above,  yellowish  green  beneath  :  antennre  pale  yellow  or  olive,  darker 
at  the  tips  ;  face  green  or  yellowish  green  ;  thorax  marked  with  two  yellowish  lines 
extending  between  and  along  two  outer  angles,  olive-brown  upon  the  top  ;  also  an- 
other triangular  area  extending  backward  from  each  eye,  the  base  resting  upon  it. 
Wing-covers  olive-brown,  lighter  upon  the  angles.  Lower  end  of  the  femur  surrounded 
by  a  black  belt,  and  the  upper  end  of  the  tibia  marked  in  the  same  way.  Yellow 
predominates  npon  the  thighs  beneath  and  inside  ;  top  brown  and  reddish  brown  ; 
tibiie  and  tAvsi  bright  red.  terminated  by  four  spines  -.  beneath  yellowish 


FAMILY    LOCUSTID^.  147 

ACRYDIUM    FLAVOVITTATUM. 

This  common  species  is  larger  than  the  former,  and  is  marked  with  a  yellowish  stripe 
on  each  side  from  the  forehead  to  the  tips  of  the  wing-covers.     Length  I5  -  2  inches. 
Very  common  in  haying  time,  and  often  found  in  barns  among  the  newly  gathered  hay. 

Genus  TETRIX. 

This  genus  differs  from  Locusta  and  Acrvdium,  by  the  long  and  sharp  triangular  outline 
when  seen  from  above,  or  rather  the  double  triangular  form  of  the  body  of  the  insect,  the 
base  or  widest  part  being  between  the  middle  legs,  from  which  it  tapers  each  way  ;  the 
head  being  smaller  than  in  the  former  genera.  Tlie  insect  is  small,  with  small  wing-covers ; 
but  the  wings  are  large  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  body,  and  scollopped  on  the  edge. 
The  females  hav^e  foiu-  boring  appendages,  which  are  notched  on  their  edges. 

Dr.  Harris  divides  the  genus  into  two  groups  :  first  group,  antennae  13-  or  14-jointed; 
second  group,  22-jointed5  with  additional  characters  not  necessary  to  be  noted  here. 

For  a  very  full  account  of  these  three  genera,  see  Harris's  Treatise  on  Insects,  2d  ed. . 


ORDER  IV.     APHANIPTERA(Kirby) 

SUCTORIA  (  Degeer).    APTERA  (  Lamaiick). 

To  avoid  incongruities  in  classification,  all  that  family  of  insects  known  as  fleas,  have 
been  separated  from  their  associates,  and  made  an  order  under  the  name  above  given  : 
the  order  therefore  consists  of  the  single  family  of  the  PuLiciDiE,  of  which  the  common 
flea,  Pulex  irritans,  is  the  leading  type.  The  body  of  this  insect  is  covered  with  a  firm 
integument,  somewhat  shining,  and  more  or  less  covered  with  bristles  arranged  in  rows. 
Its  mouth  is  suctorial,  and  is  composed  of  a  complete  apparatus  both  for  inflicting  wounds, 
and  for  sucking  the  blood  or  juices  into  the  stomach. 

The  PuLiciDJE  are  all  small  insects,  yet  their  anatomy  is  well  known,  as  made  out  in  a 
very  elaborate  manner  by  Curtis,  Westwood,  and  M.  Duces.  The  mouth  is  composed  of 
seven  pieces  :  it  has  two  round  eyes  situated  upon  the  sides  of  the  head,  and  antennae 
placed  behind  them  in  a  small  cavity  which  is  usually  closed  with  a  lid  or  scale.  The 
thorax  has  three  segments  :  the  abdomen  is  large  ;  the  wings  are  represented  liy  small 
scales  ;  the  legs  are  long,  but  muscular,  and  hence  are  capable  of  performing  wonderful 
feats  in  leaping. 

The  flea  appears  to  have  a  choice  among  the  animals  it  selects  for  its  prey  :  the  pig  and 
dog  seem  to  enjoy  a  preference  ;  and  for  its  favorite  haunts  it  selects  filthy  straw,  shavings, 
litter  of  most  kinds,  and  dry  sandy  spots.  In  these  places,  under  favorable  conditions,  fleas 
increase  enormously ;  and  the  surface  of  sand  where  hogs  have  been  littered  during  the 
winter  is  often  black  with  them,  especially  in  southern  countries. 

The  chigre,  or  jigger,  Pulex  penetrans j  of  the  West  Indies,  belongs  to  this  family  :  indeed 
the  species  of  Pulex  are  quite  numerous ;  thus  the  dog,  bat,  hedgehog,  mole,  mouse,  and 
cat  have  each  their  peculiar  species.  So  even  birds  are  infested  with  parasites  belonging  to 
this  genus. 

It  is  in  warm  climates  that  the  pests  of  this  family  most  particularly  abound,  and  their 
torments  are  most  felt  and  dreaded,  rendering  a  residence  there  extremely  uncomfortable. 
In  our  own  country,  cleanliness  is  the  antidote  to  fleas.  The  dooryard  is  frequently  the 
nursery  for  them,  especially  where  chips  and  decaying  wood  are  allowed  to  accumulate, 
mixed  with  straw,  the  refuse  of  the  kitchen,  and  the  blood  of  domestic  animals  that  have 
been  killed  for  food. 

An  infusion  of  tobacco  is  an  eifectual  remedy  for  domestic  animals  against  fleas,  and 
the  heaps  of  filth  in  which  they  are  engendered  should  be  removed  and  burnt. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


ORDER  V.     HOMOPTERA. 

OMOPTERA  (  Leach).     HEMIPTEE  A  (  Latkeille). 

The  insects  of  this  order  are  pi-ovided  with  a  suctorial  mouth,  resembling  in  this  respect 
the  Heteroptera,  but  with  the  mouth  placed  nearer  the  sterniun.  Notwithstanding  this 
resemblance,  the  two  orders  are  quite  distinct,  and  the  lines  of  demarkation  well  defined. 
The  wings  of  the  Homoptera,  in  the  first  place,  ai'e  entirely  membranous,  and  do  not 
overlap  when  at  rest ;  the  antennae  are  short  and  setiform,  and  the  tarsi  number  three 
joints.  The  metamorposis  is  of  that  kind  called  semicomplete,  and  the  pupa  is  therefore 
active. 

In  this  order  are  found  insects  of  very  remarkable  forms  :  it  is  true,  such  a  remark  is 
often  made  respecting  other  orders,  yet  probably  no  insect  shows  more  grotesqueness  of 
outline  than  the  leafhopper.  Some  subdivisions  of  the  order  contain  insects  which  singly 
are  perfectly  insignificant ;  yet  as  they  increase  to  an  enormous  extent  during  a  single 
season,  they  become,  from  numbers  alone,  a  formidable  Ibe  to  the  interests  of  the  farmer. 

The  Homoptera  are  divided  into  three  families  :  1.  The  harvest- flies,  called  in  sy- 
stematic arrangement  Cicadida,  or  cicadians  ;  2.  The  plant-lice,  Afhidida  ;  and,  3.  The 
BARK-LICE,  Coccida. 

Cicadidae. 

Antenna  short,  awl-shaped,  and   terminated  with  a  bristleform  point  :  eyelets  three ; 

wings  and  wing-covers  inclined  at  the  sides  of  the  body,  transparent  and  reticulated  ; 

feet  three-jointed  ;  integument  of  the  body  hard  and  firm.  Females  furnished  with 

an  ovipositor  lodged  in  a  furrow  beneath  the  abdomen.  Insects  walk  and  fly. 

The  harvest-flies  are  so  called  from  the  circumstance  that  they  make  their  appearance 

about  the  time  of  harvest.  They  possess  some  remarkable  characters  which  have  served  to 

give  certain  species  a  great  notoriety,  particularly  the  seventeen-year  locust,  which  makes 

its  visits  only  at  intervals  of  seventeen  years,  and  then  in  great  numbers  :  hence  its 

systematic  name',  Cicada  septendecim. 


150  ORDER    HOMOPTERA. 

^    Cicada  septendecim. 

The  males  are  distinguished  from  the  females  by  the  possession  of  an  apparatus  for  the 
production  of  a  rather  sharp  and  rattling  sound,  which  may  be  heard  unto  the  distance  of 
a  mile.  The  females  are  destitute  of  this  apparatus,  and  may  be  known  from  the  males  by 
the  ovipositor  before  alluded  to.  The  musical  or  sounding  organs  are  situated  on  the  sides 
of  the  insect,  just  behind  the  wings.  They  consist  of  plaited  convex  membranes,  of  a 
texture  somewhat  like  thin  parchment,  and  lodged  in  small  cavities  in  the  sides  :  these 
membranes  emit  their  peculiar  sound  by  means  of  muscles  attached  to  their  insides,  which 
serve  alternately  to  increase  and  diminish  their  tension  with  a  rapidity  almost  inconcei- 
vable, while  other  accessory  members  assist  in  augmenting  the  loudness  of  the  tone  thus 
produced  by  the  vibrating  membranes. 

:  The  Cicada  septendecim  is  black  or  dusky  :  anterior  margin  of  the  wing-covers,  and 
larger  veins  or  nervures  orange  red ;  eyes,  rings  of  the  body,  and  legs  of  the  same  color. 
Expansion  of  wings  from  2J  -  3|  inches.  The  figure  near  the  tip  of  the  wing-cover  re- 
sembles the  letter  W. 

The  most  interesting  fact  connected  with  the  history  of  the  seventeen-year  locust,  is  the 
mode  in  which  the  species  deposits  eggs  and  makes  provision  for  its  future  progeny.  The 
insect,  in  this  climate,  issues  from  the  grcmnd  about  the  middle  of  June.  As  soon  as  the 
wings  of  the  perfect  insect  are  in  a  condition  for  flying,  it  selects  a  tree  for  the  scene  of  its 
future  operations.  The  sexes  pair,  and,  soon  after,  the  female  prepares  to  deposit  her  eggs. 
She  selects  the  extremity  of  a  limb  for  this  purpose,  and  applies  the  ovipositor,  which  is 
fitted  both  for  perforating  the  branch,  and  for  sawing  it  in  such  a  way  as  to  separate  and 
detach  the  fibres,  which  are  afterwards  made  to  serve  as  a  sm-rounding  protection  to  the 
eggs.  The  eggs  are  deposited  along  a  line  in  which  some  ten  or  fifteen  perforations  are 
made,  some  of  which  receive  two  eggs  apiece.  Soon  after  her  labor  is  accomplished,  the 
insect  dies  of  exhaustion.  The  limb  or  twig,  which  has  received  its  burthen,  speedily 
perishes,  and,  being  nearly  severed  from  its  supporting  branch,  falls  to  the  ground,  bearing 
with  it  the  eggs  ;  or,  if  the  twig  be  not  detached,  the  eggs  are  hatched  in  place,  and  the 
young  fall  or  precipitate  themselves  to  the  ground.  Whether  hatched  above  or  upon  the 
ground,  they  soon  jienetrate  the  earth,  descending  among  the  deeper  roots,  where  they 
attach  themselves  ;  and  there  they  remain,  extracting  the  juices  of  the  roots  by  means  of 
the  sucker  with  which  they  are  provided. 

Miss  Margaretta  H.  Morris  has  the  credit  of  having  first  obsei'ved  the  fact  that  the 
larvse  of  the  cicadidse  were  injurious  to  fruit  trees,  by  wounding  the  roots  with  their 
suckers,  and  drawing  therefrom  their  sustenance.  It  would  seem  that  in  consequence  of 
these  wounds,  and  the  drainage  of  sap  by  the  numerous  individuals  thus  attached,  the 
root  becomes  unhealthy,  and  incompetent  to  supply  the  tree  with  its  requisite  amount  of 
nutriment.  Under  some  circumstances,  therefore,  where  a  fruit-tree  becomes  sickly  without 
an  apparent  cause,  a  search  about  the  roots  may  disclose  the  fact  observed  by  Miss  Morris; 


FAMILY    CICADID.E.  151 

but  tlie  long-settled  districts  of  tlie  State,  those  which  were  reclaimed  from  the  forest  iifty 
years  ago,  will  not  be  so  much  subject  to  attacks  of  the  kind.  Observation  at  Ihe  time  of 
the  api^earance  of  these  insects  will  tend  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  question,  whether, 
for  instance,  a  certain  tree  was  known  to  have  been  infested  by  them. 

The  Cicada  lays  between  four  and  five  hundred  eggs ;  and  hence  the  provision  for  the 
continuance  of  the  species,  it  would  seem,  is  ample  :  in  consequence,  however,  of  the 
accidents  to  which  it  is  subjected  in  its  larva  and  pupa  state,  its  increase  is  by  no  means 
great,  and  in  the  older  sections  of  New-York  and  New-England  it  certainly  does  not  hold 
its  own  in  numbers. 

The  larva  does  not  necessarily  descend  deep  into  the  earth  :  never  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  roots  of  the  trees  on  which  it  feeds ;  and  in  some  places  where  I  have  seen  it  issue 
from  the  earth,  it  could  not  have  penetrated  directly  more  than  six  inches,  in  consequence 
of  the  underlying  rock.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  repeat  the  old  notion  respecting  Ihem, 
that  they  continue  to  descend  for  eight  and  a  half  years,  and  then  begin  their  return  to  the 
surface  ;  yet  it  is  well  established  that  they  appe?r  only  at  intervals  of  seventeen  years, 
making  some  allowance  for  the  irregular  appearance  of  a  few  which  may  precede  or 
succeed  the  main  brood  a  year  or  two  earlier  or  later  than  the  rule  allows.  For  a  similar 
reason,  probably,  the  cicada  does  not  appear  the  same  year  in  diflerent  parts  of  the  coun- 
try*. 

Mr.  Harris  has  given,  in  his  treatise  on  insects  injurious  to  vegetation,  a  long  list  of  the 
times  when  and  places  where  the  seventeen-year  locust  has  made  its  visits,  togtther  with 
an  interesting  history  of  the  economy  and  habits  of  this  singular  animal.  The  insect,  ac- 
cording to  the  author  referred  to,  does  not  select  any  particular  species  of  tree  in  preference 
upon  which  to  deposit  its  eggs  :  most,  if  not  all  kinds  of  trees  except  the  pine  and  fir, 
have  been  found  with  their  limbs  pierced  by  it. 

The  eggs,  according  to  the  observations  of  Miss  Morris,  are  hatched  in  forty-two  days : 
others  say  in  less  time  ;  but  however  this  may  be,  prior  to  the  time  of  hatching,  most  of 
the  wounded  branches  which  have  received  eggs  are  detached,  and  have  fallen  to  the 
ground  :  at  least  this  was  the  case  when  they  appeared  in  the  vicinity  of  Txoy  about  the 
year  1830.  The  twigs  perish  much  sooner  when  wounded  by  this  insect,  than  if  a  wound 
of  equal  magnitude  were  inflicted  upon  them  with  a  knife  :  indeed,  in  a  very  few  hours 
after  receiving  a  deposit  of  eggs,  the  twig  is  perfectly  dead. 

The  extent  of  injury  inflicted  by  the  these  locusts  upon  forest  and  fruit  trees  does  not 
seem  to  be  very  serious  :  it  amounts  to  only  a  foreshortening  of  the  limbs ;  and  if  the 
tree  is  injured  at  all,  it  speedily  recovers.  The  injury  is  far  less  than  that  which  often 
follows  when  the  wound  is  made  in  the  axis  of  growth.  No  remedy  seems  to  be  required, 

•  Harris  :  Insects  injurious  to  vegetation,  p.  183.  The  sejitender.im  appealed  in  Madison  county  (New-YorkJ 
in  1845. 


152  ORDER   HOMOPTERA. 

unless  when  a  fruit-tree  becomes  infested,  in  which  case  all  the  dead  branches  may  be 
removed  and  burned. 

Cicada  cANicuLARis.     Dogday  Harvestfly.  (  Plate  ix,  fig.  3.) 

Body  black  :  the  head  beneath,  breast  and  sides  mealy ;  top  of  the  head  and  thorax 

ornamented  with  olive-green  lines  connected  together  so  as  to  form  characters,  one  of 

which  upon  the  thorax  resembles  the  letter  W.  Legs,  front  of  the  principal  veins  of 

the  wing-covers  and  wings  edged  with  green.  The  body  of  this  species  is  thicker  and 

proportionally  shorter  than  the  septendecim  :  abdomen  of  the  male  tapers  rapidly. 

Appears  late  in  July,  and  continues  into  September. 

According  to  the  olDservations  of  Mr.  Harris,  this  species  is  very  regular  in  the  time 

of  its  appearance  :  for  many  years  in  succession,  it  has  been  heard  for  the  first  time  at 

Cambridge  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  July,  between  the  hours  of  ten  in  the  forenoon  and 

two  in  the  afternoon.  It  is  therefore  an  annual  visitor,  in  which  respect  it  differs  widely 

from  the  preceding  species,  while  its  other  habits  are  much  the  same.  It  deposits  its  eggs 

in  the  extremities  of  tlie  branches  of  various  trees.  It  is  not  particularly  injurious  to  fruit 

trees,  nor  indeed  to  any  other  species  of  vegetation  ;  besides,  it  never  has  appeared  in 

sufficient  numbers  to  excite  any  apprehension  of  injury. 

^      Cicada  NovEBORACENsis.  (Plate  ix,  fig. 2.) 

Body  black  :  veins  of  wing-covers  and  wings,  thorax  and  abdominal  rings  edged  or  or- 
namented with  orange. 
This  species  is  smaller  than  either  of  the  preceding ;  but  it  appears  annually,  and  has 
the  same  habits  as  to  the  mode  of  depositing  its  eggs.  It  is  never  in  suificient  numbers  to 
inflict  serious  injury  to  forest  or  fruit  trees. 

Tree-hoppers,  Leaf-hoppers,  etc. 

Form  triangular,  but  variable  in  the  different  genera  :  eyelets  two  ;  musical  instruments 
none ;  locomotion  by  leaps  aided  by  wings. 

These  grotesque  insects  inhabit  the  trunks,  limbs  and  leaves  of  trees  :  they  are  small ; 
colors  green,  gray,  with  spots  or  cloudiness  of  the  wings ;  faces  often  vertical  or  nearly 
so,  with  the  thorax  and  anterior  parts  thick,  whence  they  taper  rapidly  to  the  extreme 
points  of  the  wings  ;  legs  furnished  with  spines.  The  species  are  very  numerous,  each  tree 
and  shrub  being  inhabited  by  its  own  peculiar  kind. 

As  this  group  of  insects  have  habits  much  the  same  as  the  cicadians,  and  obtain  their 
nutriment  by  sucking  the  juices  of  plants,  it  is  supposed  that  in  some  cases  they  may  be 
detrimental  to  vegetation  :  they  cannot,  however,  injure  the  farmer  very  materially, 
though  as  a  class  they  are  quite  numerous. 


FAMILY    MEMBRACIDJE.  153 

The  following  species  are  among  the  most  interesting,  and  deserve  attention  as  much, 
if  not  more,  from  their  peculiar  forms  and  habits,  as  from  their  infliction  of  injury  upon 
the  products  of  the  farm*. 


^  Membracidae. 


Genus  ENTILIA  (Germar).  (  Plate  xiii.) 

Baclc  more  or  less  notched  or  sinuate  :  thorax  foliaceous. 

Ejjtilia  siNUATA  (  Fab.).  (Plate  xiii,  fig.  11.) 

Back  deeply  sinuate-notched,  or  slightly  angulated.  Color  brown  :  wings  variegated  with 
a  patch  of  grayish  white,  broad  upon  tlie  lower  margin,  and  becoming  narrow  upon 
the  superior. 

O      Entilia  emarginata.  (Plate  xiii,  fig.  13.) 

Back  deeply  notched  or  sinuate.  Color  brown  :  proportionately  shorter  than  the  sinuata. 

Entilia  concava  (Say).  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  10.) 

Back  simply  sinuate,  more  depressed  than  in  either  of  the  preceding  species.  Color  brown  : 

wings  obscurely  banded  with  gray  posteriorly. 

The  preceding  species  differ  but  little  in  size  :  they  are  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in 

length,  and  inhabit  the  Canada  thistle  and  other  herbs  and  trees,  but  are  not  known  to 

injure  any  of  the  cultivated  plants. 

Genus  SMILIA  (Germar).  (  Plate  iii.) 

Back  rounded  ;  the  front,  sometimes  overhanging  the  head,  and  higher  than  the  back. 

Smilia  auriculata  (  Fitch).  (  Plate  iii,  fig.  23.) 

Back  rounded,  high  and  arched  anteriorly  :  color  green ;  front  projecting  along  the 
median  line. 

* 
Smilia  guttata.  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  21,  22.) 

Back  slightly  arched,  nearly  straight,  fuliginous  :  oblique  anterior  band  narrow  and 
obscure  ;  posterior  is  a  large  greenish  spot,  extending  nearly  to  the  inferior  margin 
of  the  wing-covers  :  a  still  more  obscui'e  grayish  marking  posteriorly. 

•  For  specimens  and  names  of  the  following  genera  and  species,  I  am  indebted  to  our  distinguished  entomologist, 
Dr.  Asa  Fitch,  of  Washington  county. 

[  Agricultudal  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  20 


154  ORDER   HOMOPTERA. 

Smilia  viridis.  (  Plate  iii,  fig.  25.) 

Arch  of  the  back  sloping  towards  the  head  ;  the  projection  over  the  face  wanting  ;  face 
rounded.  Color  of  the  sides  green,  dusky  along  the  back  :  wings  ornamented  with  a 
transverse  gray  patch  near  their  extremities. 

Smilia  vittata.  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  27,  28.) 

Back  only  slightly  arched  ;  middle  rather  concave.  Color  brownish,  ornamented  with  a 

greenish  l:)and  which  extends  diagonally  from  the  front  to  the  lower  margin  of  the 

wing-covers  ;  also  two  transverse  green  spots,  one  on  the  middle,  the  other  upon  the 

posterior  part  of  the  wing-covers. 

'^  Genus  CYRTOSIA  (  Fitch).  (  Plate  xiii.) 

Humeral  angles  rounded,  not  salient  :  dorsum  compressed,  foliaceous,  forming  a  regularly 
arched  keel  highest  near  its  middle,  and  at  most  with  a  slight  concavity  posteriorly ; 
apical  cellule  triangular,  its  end  rounded  (Fitch). 

"^    Cyetosia  arcuata.  (  Plate  ^iii,  fig.  14.) 

Body  regularly  arched,  highest  about  the  centre  of  the  back.  Color  light  yellowish,  mar- 
bled with  fuscous  :  a  shade  of  fuscous  passes  transversely  across  the  sides,  back  of 
the  middle. 

Cyrtosia  fuliginosa.  (Plate  xiii,  fig.  15.) 

Back  regularly  arched.  Color  dark  fuscous  or  brown,  variegated  with  lighter  anterior  to 
the  middle. 

^  Genus  TELAMONA.  (  Plate  iii.) 

Body  or  back  surmounted  by  an  angular  foliaceous  protuberance  or  crest. 

Telamona  AMPELOPsiDis  (Har.).     Woodbine  Telamona.         (  Plate  iii,  fig.  17.) 

Crest  or  protuberance  rather  concave  in  ft-ont,  sloping  moderately  on  its  dorsum,  and 

forming  with  the  steep  posterior  slope  an  obtuse  angle.  Color  light  fuscous,  traversed 

by  a  darker  clouded  line  from  the  concavity  of  the  crest  to  the  middle  of  the  inferior 

margin.     Inhabits  the  woodbine. 

'  Telamona  fagi  (  Fitch).  (  Plate  iii,  fig.  19.) 

Dorsal  crest  notched  posteriorly.  Color  dark  fuscous  :  sides  of  the  head  light;  wing 
posteriorly  light,  terminated  with  a  darker  shade. 

Telamona  uNicoLOR.  ^  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  5,  5.) 

Dorsal  crest  rounded.  Color  yellow,  or  only  slightly  tinged  with  fuscous. 


FAMILY   MEMBRACID4E.  155 

Telamona  coRYLi.  (  Plate  iil,  fig.  1 1 .) 

Crest  straight  upon  the  superior  edge,  which  inclines  slightly  backwards  ;  posteriorly  it 
is  concave.  Color  dirty  yellow  :  margins  of  the  crest  fuscous.  There  is  a  semicircular 
spot  on  the  sides  beneath  :  apex  of  the  wing-covers  also  marked  with  fuscous. 

Telamona  crat^gi.  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  3,  4.) 

Dorsal  crest  narroAV  at  base,  high  and  slightly  concave  behind  and  convex  before,  placed 
in  advance  upon  the  thorax.  Color  of  the  crest  black  or  very  dark  brown,  which  is 
prolonged  upon  the  sides  to  the  inferior  margin  of  the  wing-covers ;  wing-covei-s 
tipped  also  with  black  :  sides  anteriorly  light,  and  with  a  light  band  between  the  two 
dark  bands.     Inhabits  the  different  species  of  thornapple. 

Telamona  ornata.  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  15,  16.) 

Crest  wide,  rounded  anteriorly,  sharply  angulated  behind  :  color  fuscous.  The  pattern  of 
the  ornamental  markings  resembles  those  of  T.  crafagi,  only  they  are  lighter  and  the 
proportions  somewhat  different. 

"^   Telamona  acclivata.  (Plate  iii,  figs.  9,  10.) 

Dorsal  crest  twice  as  wide  at  the  base  as  at  the  summit,  the  posterior  half  rising  only  half 
as  high  as  the  anterior  half. 

'-'    Telamona  reclivata. 
Anterior  edge  of  the  crest  forming  a  sti-aight  line  with  the  head ;  superior  line  nearly 
straight ;  posterior  margin  large,  concave.  Color  fuscous,  lighter  before  than  behind. 

^    Telamona  querci.  *  ( Plate  iii,  figs.  7,  8.) 

Dorsal  crest  wide  at  the  base,  bounded  by  a  large  concavity  before  and  behind,  convex  or 
I'ounded  above,  and  about  half  as  wide  at  the  summit  as  at  the  base. 

"^     Telamona  turriculata.  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  1,  2.) 

Thorax  surmounted  by  a  high  narrow  crest,  rising  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  face ; 
posteriorly  the  concavity  is  large,  and  continuous  with  the  entire  back. 

'^"'    Genus  CERESA  (Amy  &  Serv.).  (  Plate  iii.) 

Ceresa  diceeos  (Say).  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  33,  34.) 

Brown  :  sides  of  the  wing-covers  ornamented  with  two  dark  and  pointed  patches  of  brown. 

Ceresa  bubalus  (Fab.). 
Wing-covers  and  thorax  greenish  :  sides  mottled  with  fuscous. 


156  ORDER    HOMOPTERA. 

^  Genus  THELIA  (Amy  &  Serv.)-  (  Plate  iii.) 

Dorsal  protuberance  horn-like,  advancing  in  front,  rising  high  obliquely  upwards  and 
forwards. 

Thelia  bimaculata  (  Fab.).  (  Plate  iii,  figs.  31,  32.) 

Color  dark  fuscous  along  the  back  and  sides  :  inferior  part  of  the  sides  marked  with  an 
elongate  patch  of  yellowish  (male). 

Thelia  lutipes.  (  Plate  iii,  fig.  18.) 

Crest  advanced  beyond  the  front  :  posterior  margin  forms  a  straight  line  with  the  back. 

(^  Thelia  binotata.  (  Plate  iii,  fig.  17.) 

Crest  arched  anteriorly,  narrow,  concave  behind.  Color  light  brown  :  back  lighter,  and 
marked  by  two  l)rownish  spots. 

'^Garcara  cinereum.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  3.) 

Color  brown,  punctured  :  towards  the  front  it  is  traversed  by  a  pretty  broad  belt  of 

lighter,  in  form  and  shape  like  an  arrowhead,  with  its  point  towards  the  head,  and 

resting  upon  the  median  ridge ;  posteriorly  it  is  traversed  by  a  narrow  belt,  which 

runs  directly  across  the  back.     Length  two-tenths  of  an  inch. 

Gargara  maculifrontis.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig- 1.) 

Color  light  brown  and  lightly  mottled  :  front  marked  by  an  oblong  dark  brown  spot, 
situated  nearly  between  the  eyes  ;  posteriorly  it  is  traversed  by  two  faint  or  lighter 
bands  directly  across  the  fcack. 

Gargara  majus.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  6.) 

Color  blackish,  punctiu-ed.  Apex  of  the  wing-covers  black  or  blackish  brown,  extending 
farther  upon  the  sides  than  upon  the  ridge,  nearly  meeting  another  transverse  broad 
band  of  the  same  color,  and  leaving  an  oval  or  roundish  lighter  space  between  them  : 
the  dark  anterior  band  does  not  cross  the  sharp  ridge  of  the  back,  but  leaves  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  same  color  as  the  anterior  and  middle  parts.  Thighs  dark  brown. 
Length  one-fourth  of  an  inch,  and  sometimes  rather  exceeding  that  measure. 
This  species  has  the  regular  rounded  outline  somewhat  broken  by  the  sudden  falling  off 
of  the  ridge  posteriorly. 

D  Gargara  querci.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  8.) 

Color  brown,  and  dark  brown  upon  the  middle  of  the  sides  :  middle  of  the  back  marked 
by  a  long  oval  yellow  patch.  Near  the  apex  of  the  hemelytra  there  is  a  small  roundish 
patch  of  yellow  :  legs  yellow.     Length  two  lines. 


FAMILY    MEMBRACID.E.  167 

'      Gakgara  discoidalis. 
Color  brown,  and  traversed  by  two  light  bands  ;  tlie  front  band  pointing  forward,  its  edges 
undulating,  with  a  much  darker  space  behind  it,  and  crossing  the  back.  The  posterior 
band  crosses  the  back  directly,  and  is  also  bordered  behind  by  a  darker  belt  :  legs 
brown.    Length  rather  more  than  two- tenths  of  an  inch. 
It  resembles  the  cinereum.,  but  is  more  elevated  at  the  centre  of  the  back,  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  colors  is  rather  diflerent. 

"^     Gargara  pubescens.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  3.) 

Color  dark  brown  :  sides  marked  by  a  light  punctured  band  enclosing  a  half-oval  black 

space,  or  very  dark  brown  ;  posteriorly  it  is  traversed  by  a  light  baud  directly  across 

it.  Wings  terminated  by  a  dusky  patch,  before  which  there  is  a  large  patch  of  white. 

This  species  is  rather  depressed,  and  flat  upon  the  top  of  its  back.     Length  two-tenths 

of  an  inch. 

Gargara  inermis.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  7.) 

Back  rounded.  Color  yellow  bordering  upon  green,  punctured  :  punctures  and  color  dis- 
tributed very  uniformly  over  the  individual. 

>--"■    Gargara  pectoralis.  (  Plate  xiii,  fig.  12.) 

Color  greenish  yellow,  dotted  with  green  :  there  is  a  patch  of  yellowish  and  greenish 

white  above  the  eyes.  The  wings  are  traversed  transversely  by  narrow  belts  of  light 

green  and  white,  when  they  are  uncovered  by  the  hemelytra  :  legs  obscurely  banded 

with  brown.    Length  nearly  two-tenths  of  an  inch. 

(2)  Gargara  nigricephala. 
Elevated  in  front.  Color  very  dark  olive  brown,  banded  transversely  in  front,  directly 
behind  the  eyes  :  sides  banded  transversely,  which  bands  meet  in  the  front  band 
behind  the  eyes  ;  head  black  ;  legs  yellowish.     Length  two-tenths  of  an  inch. 

The  general  reader  will  be  able,  from  the  figures  which  are  given  of  a  few  of  the  genera 
and  species  belonging  to  this  subdivision  of  the  Homoptera  (or  HEMiPTEKA),to  distinguish 
them  from  other  insects.  It  is  true  they  are  small  in  number,  or  at  least  less  numerous  than 
the  plant-lice,  aphidce  :  still  their  forms  and  habits,  as  well  as  consistence,  will  always 
serve  as  diagnostic  marks.  So  far  as  their  food  is  concerned,  as  well  as  their  mode  of 
obtaining  it,  they  resemble  plant-lice  :  they  wound  the  plant  by  puncturing  it  with  their 
beaks,  and  suck  the  juices.  When  they  are  few  in  number,  they  do  but  little  mischief :  on 
the  contrary,  where  they  are  numerous,  the  wounds  they  inflict,  and  tlie  diversion  of  sap 
they  occasion,  have  quite  an  injurious  effect  upon  the  health  and  perfection  of  the  plant- 
Among  the  plants  most  liable  to  be  injured  by  them,  the  vine  probably  suffers  the  most; 
for  it  abounds  in  sap,  and  hence  offers  support  to  large  colonies  of  these  insects. 


158  ORDER   HOMOPTERA. 

In  the  eighth  volume  of  the  Encyclopsedia  Americana,  Dr.  Harris  has  described  the 
leafhopper,  Tettigonia  vitis.  It  is  about  the  tenth  of  an  inch  long,  and  arrives  at  maturity 
in  the  month  of  August  :  it  is  of  a  pale  straw-color,  and  inhabits  both  the  native  and 
foreio'n  grape  vines,  and,  in  some  seasons,  is  so  numerous  as  to  affect  seriously  the  vines 
and  fruit.  They  adhere  to  the  underside  of  the  leaves,  and  hence  the  remedy  proposed, 
which  consists  in  fumigation  with  tobacco,  will  be  more  effectual  than  if  they  inhabited 
the  upper  side.  For  the  purpose  of  fumigation,  the  vine  or  its  trellis  should  be  covered 
with  a  tent,  and  the  process  may  be  persisted  in  until  the  insect  is  thoroughly  routed  or 
destroyed. 

Rosebushes  sometimes  become  infested  with  a  kind  of  leafhopper,  the  Tettigonia  roscE, 
which  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way. 

As  the  insects  of  this  family  hop  briskly,  they  cannot  be  dislodged  from  the  vines  by 
shaking,  nor  is  it  practicable  to  catch  them  :  it  hence  becomes  necessary  to  destroy  them 
by  fumigation,  or  by  the  application  to  the  leaves  and  vines  of  some  substance  destructive 
to  the  insects,  but  which  will  not  injure  the  plant.  Whale-oil  soap  in  solutionis  another 
remedy  whose  application  has  been  followed  with  success. 

As  these  insects  take  refuge  among  the  fallen  leaves  and  underlying  grass,  where  they 
survive  the  winter,  the  leaves  and  grass  should  be  carefully  removed  and  burned,  either 
after  the  weather  has  become  cold  in  the  autumn,  or  in  the  spring  before  vegetation  has 
put  forth.  All  these  methods  should  be  resorted  to,  where  vines  suffer  from  too  great  an 
abundance  of  these  insects. 


ApMdidae. 

The  aphidians  (  plant-lice)  are  a  group  of  insects  with  soft  bodies  of  an  oval  form,  and 
furnished  posteriorly  with  two  tufts  or  pores.  The  females  are  generally  wingless,  though 
not  always.  The  upper  pair,  answering  to  the  wing-covers  in  the  Hemipteka  proper,  are 
larger,  and  are  used  for  the  purpose  of  flight,  or  to  assist  in  leaping. 

The  leaping  plant-lice  belong  to  the  Genus  Psylla  :  the  young  are  covered  with  a 
cottony  substance,  and  are  found  upon  the  alder  and  some  other  plants  in  the  spring. 

The  genus  to  which  the  name  Aphis  has  been  given,  from  which  the  name  of  the  family 
is  derived,  and  which  signifies  to  exhaust,  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in  the  class  of 
insects  :  feeble  and  entirely  unprotected,  the  insect  is  crushed  by  a  touch,  or  swept  away 
by  a  breath.  It  is,  however,  provided  with  the  means  of  increase  to  an  immense  extent; 
and,  hence,  in  consequence  of  this  extraordinary  power,  in  virtue  of  its  numbers  alone  it 
is  competent  to  inflict  the  most  serious  injury  upon  the  plants  it  inhabits.  Most  plants  are 
infested  with  them  ;  and  each  particular  kind  of  plant,  shrub  and  tree,  supports  its  own 
peculiar  species,  though  it  does  not  seem  to  be  proved  that  the  juices  of  many  plants  may 


FAMILY   APHIDID^.  159 

not  furnish  wholesome  nutriment  to  several  diiferent  species  of  insects.  Indeed  the  same 
plant  may  bear  two  or  more  kinds  of  lice,  and  they  may  occupy  the  root,  leaf,  stem,  or 
bud. 

I  have  alluded  to  the  greatness  of  the  number  of  aphides.  Considerable  attention  has 
been  paid  to  this  part  of  their  natural  history.  Reaumur  has  probably  investigated  the 
mode  and  rate  in  whicli  they  increase,  better  than  any  other  naturalist  :  he  ascertained 
that  a  single  individual  may  be  the  progenitor  of  six  thousand  millions  of  individuals 
during  the  life  of  five  generations.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  the  autumn  upon  the  buds  of  the 
plant,  and  are  hatched  in  the  spring  :  this  takes  place  when  the  leaf  is  just  expanding 
and  tender,  to  which  the  delicate  aphis  is  attached  by  its  sucker,  and  from  which  it  sucks 
the  juice.  They  grow  rapidly,  and  speedily  come  to  maturity.  The  most  remarkable  fact 
connected  with  this  first  brood,  which  is  hatched  from  the  egg,  is,  that  the  individuals, 
however  numerous,  are  all  wingless  females,  which  present  this  anomaly,  that  they  are 
competent,  without  intercourse  with  the  male,  to  beget  another  generation  of  females,  and 
this  another,  and  so  on  to  the  seventh  generation.  After  these  generations  have  succeeded 
each  other,  another  generation,  consisting  of  males  and  females,  is  produced  in  the  au- 
tumn :  pairing  takes  place,  and  the  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  buds  as  has  been  stated,  and 
in  due  time  are  hatched  ;  and  thus  the  broods  are  produced  in  the  successive  seasons  after 
the  same  fashion.  The  generations  all  perish  in  the  autumn,  and  the  subsequent  continua- 
tion of  the  race  is  committed  to  the  egg.  The  males  have  wings. 

A  young  leaf  that  curls,  or  looks  unhealthy,  is  probably  infested  with  aphides  :  they 
will  often  be  found  clustered  together,  engaged  in  sucking  the  juices  of  the  leaf;  and  as 
they  are  voracious  feeders,  nature  has  provided  them  with  the  means  of  ejecting  their  food 
in  an  uncommon  way.  This  is  done  through  the  two  posterior  tubes  :  the  ejected  matter 
appears  first  in  the  form  of  a  pellucid  fluid,  which  is  sweet,  and  has  i-eceived  the  name  of 
honeydew.  Ants,  being  fond  of  sweet  fluids,  are  in  the  habit  of  frequenting  plants  infested 
with  aphides,  which  they  treat  in  a  very  gentle  and  tender  manner,  feeding  merely  upon 
the  fluid  without  inflicting  the  slightest  injury  upon  the  insects  that  draw  it  from  the 
plant.  Another  insect,  however,  the  lacevnng,  unceremoniously  thrusts  its  curved  beak 
into  the  sides  of  the  aphis,  and  sucks  the  insect  dry,  leaving  nothing  but  an  empty  slcin. 
The  presence  of  ants  upon  a  plant  indicates  also  the  presence  of  aphides. 

The  aphis,  as  already  stated,  infests  most  plants  :  the  rose,  the  asters,  apple,  peach, 
pear,  cabbage,  etc.  etc.  are  only  a  few  among  many  upon  which  we  may  find  it  to  an  in- 
jurious extent.  Besides  it  is  not  unfrequently  the  case  that  they  exist  beneath  the  soil  and 
upon  the  roots,  where  they  cluster  together  in  vast  numbers,  and  extract  the  ascending 
nutriment  :  these  are  usually  white. 

The  peach-tree  is  known  to  suffer  extremely  from  the  aphis,  which,  when  numerous, 
afiects  it  in  a  way  that  prevents  its  bearing  fruit.  My  own  trees  suffered  for  three  succes- 


160  ORDER    HOMOPTERA. 

sive  seasons  from  this  insect  :  the  young  leaves  of  the  first  product  cm-led,  thickened, 
became  red  or  brown,  and  most  of  them  perished.  The  trees  afterwards  put  forth  a  new 
crop  of  leaves,  and  all  survived,  thougli  the  fruit  was  destroyed  in  the  blossom.  (  For  a 
delineation  of  the  peachtree  aphis,  see  Plate  xxix,  fig.  7.) 

It  is  evident  from  the  foregoing  remarks,  that  plant-lice  are  injurious,  both  through  the 
wounds  they  inflict  upon  the  parts  of  the  plant  they  inhabit,  and  from  the  fluids  or  nu- 
triment they  abstract  from  the  circulation.  As  a  family,  their  habits  are  the  same,  but 
some  species  or  kinds  appear  to  be  more  injurious  than  others  ;  and  it  seems  difl&cult  to 
account  for  all  the  effects  they  produce,  unless  they  possess  a  poisonous  principle.  In 
support  of  this  observation,  I  may  state  that  the  pear  is  infested  with  a  kind  that  kills  the 
tree  when  young.  Of  this  fact,  I  was  informed  by  Dr.  Ovid  Plumb  of  Salisbury  (Connecti- 
cut) :  the  limbs  or  twigs  which  he  showed  me  were  brown  and  dry  in  patches.  Afterwards 
Mr.  Harris  of  Cambridge  investigated  the  matter,  the  results  of  which  he  has  communi- 
cated in  his  work  on  insects  injurious  to  vegetation.  Dr.  Plumb,  who  was  the  first  to  notice 
these  minute  parasites  of  the  pear-tree,  entered  with  much  zeal  and  spirit  into  the  in- 
vestigation of  their  effects,  and  of  the  remedies  to  destroy  them. 

The  genus  to  which  this  insect  belongs  is  Psylla,  one  of  the  jumping  plant-lice,  but 
destitute  of  the  cotton-like  covering.  From  the  observations  of  Dr.  Plumb,  it  appears  to 
give  birth  to  two  or  more  broods  during  the  year,  being  found  upon  the  pear  from  May 
to  October.  They  first  appeared  upon  imported  trees.  My  own  trees,  which  were  obtained 
from  Rochester,  and  wei-e  also  imported,  had  many  limbs  that  appeared  rusty  and  dry ; 
and  though  these  limbs  were  lost,  the  trees  survived.  The  appearances  of  the  limbs  were 
similar  to  those  of  the  branches  preserved  by  Dr.  Plumb  ;  but  I  was  unable  to  find  the 
aphis,  although  I  sought  for  it  diligently. 

This  insect  is  described  as  of  a  dull  orange  color,  and  one-tenth  of  an  inch  long  when 
perfect :  the  thorax  is  brownish  orange.  The  female  is  more  pointed  behind  than  the  male. 
According  to  Mr.  Harris,  it  may  prove  to  be  the  Psylla  pyri  of  Europe.  It  may  be  well 
to  remark,  that  when  the  branches  of  a  pear-tree  become  dark  and  dry  in  patches,  it  is 
advisable  to  search  for  this  insect.  The  remedies  recommended  are,  first,  rubbing  off  the 
lice  with  a  brush.  Mr.  Harris  advises  the  application  of  strong  soapsuds  with  sulphur, 
by  means  of  a  brush,  before  the  buds  expand  :  so  also  the  use  of  whale-oil  soap*. 

The  insects  of  the  Genus  Thrips,  likewise  belonging  to  the  Family  ApHiDiD.ffi:,  are  also 
injurious.  Their  wings,  instead  of  lying  obliquely  upon  their  backs  as  in  the  Genus  Aphis, 
lie  flat,  and  are  fringed.  They  are  supposed  to  poison  plants  by  their  puncture,  producing 
thereby  curls  and  a  tliickening  of  the  tissues  of  the  leaf.  They  may  be  treated  with  soap 
and  water,  or  whale-oil  soap  dissolved  in  water  :  a  strong  decoction  of  tansy  may  serve. 

•  Hahris  on  Insects  injurious  to  vegetation,  p.  202. 


FAMILY    APHIDIDJE.  161 

A  species  of  Thrips  infests  the  kernel  of  wheat  while  in  its  milk  state  ;  and  it  is  quite 
doubtful  whether  this  one  can  be  destroyed  by  the  application  of  fine  slaked  lime,  as  has 
been  recommended  :  still,  when  the  dew  is  on  the  plant,  a  free  sprinkling  may  be  tried, 
which,  if  not  successful  in  the  way  designed,  will  at  least  benefit  the  soil. 

The  disease  called  appletree  blight  is  due  to  another  genus  of  aphides,  the  Eriosoma. 
It  is  a  woolly  insect,  destitute  of  wings,  l)ut  is  wafted  from  tree  to  tree  by  the  buoyancy  of 
its  woolly  envelope.  The  eggs,  only  visible  under  a  microscope,  are  enveloped  in  a  cotton- 
like substance  found  in  crotches  of  the  tree  and  chinks  of  the  bark  ;  and  if  there  are 
suckers  standing  aroimd  the  tree,  it  may  be  found  on  them  also.  The  full-grown  insect  is 
one-tenth  of  an  inch  long,  emits  a  sticky  juice  from  its  extremity,  and  is  covered  with 
flakes  of  down  :  when  this  is  removed,  the  color  of  the  antennae,  head,  sucker,  and  spines 
is  blackish ;  abdomen  honey-yellow  (  Harris).  It  feeds  upon  the  sap  of  the  alburnum  of 
the  apple-tree  ;  and  the  wounds  it  inflicts  give  origin  to  warts,  excrescences,  and  inequali- 
ties upon  the  bark  :  the  final  result  of  its  attack  is  the  death  of  the  tree. 

It  appears  from  the  accounts  which  have  been  published  of  the  ravages  of  this  aphis  in 
England  and  in  this  country,  that  the  only  hope  of  arresting  the  evil  lies  in  beginning  at 
once,  or  as  soon  as  the  insect  makes  its  appearance.  After  it  has  extended  itself  far  and 
wide  upon  the  large  trees  of  an  orchard,  it  becomes  exceedingly  diiiicult  to  arrest  its 
progress,  and  this  probably  only  happens  in  cases  when  the  weather  becomes  unfavorable 
to  the  life  and  propagation  of  the  insect.  The  rational  way  to  go  to  work,  will  be  to  scrape 
thoroughly  all  the  trunks  and  larger  limbs,  and  then  to  scrub  the  surface  with  strong 
soapsuds,  or  whitewash  them.  When  the  trunk  beneath  the  soil  and  the  roots  are  infested, 
extend  the  treatment  to  these  parts  also.  Mr.  Harris  recommends  a  solution  of  potash, 
and  to  protect  all  the  wounded  parts  by  grafting  wax,  and  also  the  removal  of  all  refuse 
from  and  about  the  tree  that  may  contain  the  eggs  or  the  living  animals  :  cut  off",  like- 
wise, and  burn  all  the  smaller  limbs.  It  seems  that  all  strongly  scented  solutions,  such  as 
tobacco  water,  ammonia,  etc.  are  more  or  less  effectual  remedies  against  the  depredations 
of  the  various  kinds  of  aphides. 

Another  interesting  and  important  fact  in  natural  history  is  that  jDlant-lice  have  nume- 
rous foes,  that  prey  upon  and  destroy  them  in  great  numbers  :  among  these  foes  we  may 
rank  the  numerous  species  of  Coccinella,  or  ladybirds  (See  Plate  xi,  where  several  of  the 
most  common  kinds  are  figm-ed).  A  person  unacquainted  with  these  small  and  beautiful 
insects,  on  seeing  them  upon  an  infected  plant,  might  mistake  their  ciiaracters  and  ofiice, 
and  attribute  to  their  presence  the  sickly  state  of  the  plant.  He  could  not  well  commit  a 
greater  mistake  ;  and  to  convince  himself  of  this,  he  would  only  need  to  watch  the  move- 
ments of  the  little  beetle  for  a  short  time,  when  he  would  find  that  its  errand  was  one  of 
kindness  to  liim  and  his  plant,  for  he  would  soon  observe  it  feeding  upon  the  plant-lice  : 
these  constitute  its  food,  both  in  the  larva  and  matui-e  states,  so  that  its  services  in  re- 
[  Ageicultueal  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  21 


162  ORDER   HOMOPTERA. 

moving  the  plant-lice  are  by  no  means  inconsiderable.  He  might,  indeed,  advantageously 
stock  his  house-plants  with  the  coccindla,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  them  clear  of  lice. 

I  have  already  adverted  to  the  lacewing  :  in  its  larva  state,  it  is  probably  one  of  the 
most  sanguinary  enemies  of  plant-lice.  Where  these  abound,  the  eggs  of  the  lacewing  may 
be  seen  each  supported  on  the  end  of  a  slender  thread  .The  larva  or  grub  is  provided  with 
a  large  pair  of  ciu-ved  pointed  hollow  jaws,  with  which  he  seizes  the  aphis,  and  sucks  all 
the  fluid  contents  of  its  body,  leaving  nothing  but  a  collapsed  skin. 

Mr.  KiRBY  states  the  fact,  which  is  also  now  well  known  to  many,  that  a  tly  belonging 
to  the  Genus  Syrphus  is  equally  effective  in  exterminating  the  aphis ;  their  larvae  or 
maggots  having  completely  exterminated  a  colony  which  had  a  week  before  infested  his 
currant-bushes. 

Coccidae. 

The  bark-lice  form  a  third  division  of  singular  insects,  from  which,  judging  from  the 
appearance  of  a  few  individuals  among  them,  we  should  never  expect  serious  injury  to 
trees  or  plants.  They  vary  in  form  :  sometimes  they  are  kidney-shaped  scabs,  beneath 
which,  at  some  period  or  other,  may  be  found  a  brood  of  minute  lice  :  others  are  oval, 
quite  large  and  globular,  of  a  dark  gray  color,  and  are  fixed  to  the  surface  of  the  bark,  or 
have  lost  the  power  of  locomotion  ;  these  are  females. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  character  of  the  Coccida,  I  may  state  that  the  matter  of  the 
cochineal  of  commerce,  brought  to  us  from  Mexico,  is  an  insect  of  this  family. 

These  insects  are  usually  known  under  the  name  of  bark-lice,  of  which  the  kind  that 
inhabits  the  branches  of  the  appletree  is  probably  the  most  common.  They  differ  in  struc- 
ture from  the  aphides,  their  feet  consisting  of  a  single  joint  terminating  in  a  claw.  The 
male  is  quite  small  in  comparison  with  the  female,  and,  like  that  of  the  aphis,  is  provided 
with  wings,  which  are  two  in  number,  and  lie  flat  upon  the  body  as  in  the  Genus  Thrips. 
The  female,  after  she  has  become  fixed  to  the  limb  or  bark  of  the  tree,  having  lost  the 
power  of  locomotion,  brings  forth  beneath  her  a  brood  of  young,  which,  when  able  to  run 
about,  escape  from  the  dry  skin  of  the  parent,  and  fix  themselves  by  their  beaks  to  the 
bark,  where  they  grow  and  become  mature  upon  the  sap  of  the  tree. 

A  maple  at  my  door  in  Hudson-street,  Albany,  is  infested  with  thousands  of  individuals 
of  a  species  of  Coccus,  about  the  twentieth  of  an  inch  in  length,  and  covered  with  the 
woolly  matter  peculiar  to  the  family,  which  imparts  to  the  limbs  a  snowy  appearance.  On 
the  first  of  September,  the  back  of  the  leaf  supports  some  twenty  individual  females  of  a 
green  color,  beneath  which  are  the  young. 

Trees  suffer  from  the  minute  punctures  of  bark-lice  ;  the  apple-tree  particularly,  which 
is  infested  with  a  kind  that  resembles  a  dry  scale,  having  the  color  of  the  cuticle  of  the 
bark  on  which  it  rests.  The  remedies  for  these  depredators  are  the  same  as  have  been  re 


FAMILY   COCCID^.  163 

commended  against  aphides,  particularly  the  brush,  soap  and  water,  and  scraping  the  bark 
with  a  suitable  instrument.  Several  sorts  of  birds,  such  as  wrens,  chickadees,  creepers,  etc. 
feed  upon  the  larger  coccidse. 

A  large  brown  coccus,  the  tenth  of  an  inch  in  length,  inhabiting  the  chestnut  and  black- 
oak,  gives  origin  to  one  kind  of  honeydew.  These  trees,  in  Warren  county  (  New  York), 
were  teeming  with  a  species  of  coccus  in  183S  ;  and  from  their  bodies  drops  of  a  sweet 
fluid  were  cast,  which,  on  falling  to  the  ground,  were  formed  into  minute  threads.  These 
appeared  in  sunlight  like  the  threads  issuing  from  the  gossamer  spider.  The  leaves  and 
grass  were  covered  with  this  substance.  The  insect  had  an  oval  form,  about  the  size  of  half 
a  marrowfat  pea,  with  a  brown,  wrinkled,  naked  skin  ;  that  is,  it  was  destitute  of  a  woolly 
or  cottony  covering. 

The  currant-bush  at  present  suffers  from  the  attacks  of  an  aphis,  which  has  been  in- 
creasing in  numbers  for  three  or  four-  years  past.  The  insect  occuiiies,  as  usual,  the  under 
surface  of  the  leaves.  The  female  is  uniformly  green,  and  provided  with  antennje  longer 
than  the  body,  and  three  rows  of  bristles  along  the  back  :  body  ovate,  thicker  behind, 
with^he  honey-tubes  near  or  along  the  outer  row  of  bristles.  It  produces  a  thickening  and 
reddening  of  the  leaf,  and  the  crisped  condition  that  comes  from  punctured  wounds  of  the 
parenchyma.  This  valuable  plant  should  receive  a  timely  attention,  before  the  insect  has 
increased  much  in  numbers ;  and  as  a  remedy,  whale-oil  soap  is  undoubtedly  the  best. 

The  snowball  (Viburnum)  has  been  infested  for  years  with  a  peculiar  aphis,  which 
effectually  destroys  the  beauty  of  the  shrub.  In  some  cases  the  leaves  are  all  crisped  and 
rolled,  and  the  consequence  is  the  total  loss  of  the  beautiful  and  ornamental  flowers  pe- 
culiar to  this  species  of  Vihumum.  The  insect  makes  its  appearance  with  the  expansion  of 
the  first  leaves,  and  continues  through  the  season.  The  usual  applications  which  have  been 
recommended,  should  be  employed  upon  this  plant. 

The  black  cherry,  also,  is  infested  with  an  aj^his  in  July.  The  community  consists  of 
males  and  females.  Males  :  antennse  black  and  equal  to  the  body  in  length,  pointed 
forward  ;  head  and  thorax  black  or  greenish  black ;  abdomen  green ;  wings  twice  the 
length  of  the  body ;  thighs  and  tarsi  black.  Females  green ;  antenna  two-thirds  the 
length  of  the  body,  turned  over  the  back  or  pointed  backwards  ;  tarsi  black  ;  wings  ru- 
dimentary. This  aphis  lives  upon  the  uppermost  leaves  of  the  young  Virginian  cherrytree, 
where  the  females  produce  their  usual  effects,  the  cm-ling,  thickening,  reddening,  and 
finally  the  death  of  the  leaves. 

For  fruit  trees,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  best  remedies  against  insects  are  those  of  a 
preventative  character.  Trees  that  are  kept  in  a  thrifty  growing  condition  by  the  applica- 
tion of  manures,  ard  the  use  of  means  to  keep  the  bark  clean  and  smooth,  rarely  suffer 
from  lice.  Among  both  plants  and  animals,  the  feeble  are  generally  those  which  suffer 
from  parasites.  It  is  not,  I  believe,  because  the  tree  has  become  weakened  in  the  first  place 
by  them,  but,  on  the  contrary,  the  plant  (and  so  also  with  the  animal)  first  suffers  for  the 


164  ORDER   HOMOPTERA. 

want  of  proper  nutriment,  or  by  other  neglect.  It  is  true  that  a  vigorous  plant  or  animal 
may  become  infested  with  parasites  ;  but  these  cases  are  exceptions,  and  not  the  rule.  We 
have  therefore  every  motive  to  induce  us  to  protect  and  nourish  our  plants  and  animals, 
both  for  the  greater  profit  they  will  render  us,  and  as  a  seciuity  against  disease  and  the 
attacks  of  parasitic  animals. 

Atmospheric  Blig^ht. 

There  is  a  disease  among  cultivated  herbaceous  plants,  the  origin  of  which  is  not  deter- 
mined. The  plant,  as  the  June  pea,  for  example,  begins  to  dry  and  whiten  below  :  this 
dryness  extends  upwards,  and  sometimes  so  rapidly  that  the  crop  of  pease  is  lost ;  but 
whether  this  be  the  case  or  not,  the  crop  will  be  gr-eatly  diminished,  and  the  early  death 
of  the  whole  plant  is  the  consequeiice.  The  disease  may  he  said  to  be  a  premature  decay 
and  death  of  the  plant  :  it  is  equivalent  to  a  blight,  or  to  the  potato  disease.  The  question 
that  arises  respecting  it,  is,  Is  it  due  to  an  insect,  or  to  atmospheric  causes  ?  The  answer 
to  this  question  is  neither  definitely  negative  nor  positive.  No  insects  have  yet  betti  de- 
tected upon  the  pea  ;  and  yet  its  root,  which  has  not  perhaps  been  sufhciently  examined, 
may  disclose  some  insect  that  brings  on  this  decay.  As  to  the  atmosphere,  physiologists 
may  well  differ  :  we  ascribe  to  changes  of  the  weather,  those  diseases  and  injuries  that 
cannot  be  referred  to  the  attacks  of  insects.  Remedies  have  not  been  proposed ;  but  it  is 
suggested  that  a  change  of  seed  may  divert  the  calamity,  or  perhaps  soaking  the  seeds  in 
muriate  of  ammonia  or  a  weak  solution  of  copperas,  and  then  rolling  them  in  plaster. 

The  lychnidea  becomes  sometimes  affected  with  a  white  mouldiness,  which  makes  its 
appearance  upon  the  leaves  early  in  July,  and  destroys  the  beauty  of  the  plant,  beginning 
upon  the  lowermost  part  of  the  leaf,  and  extending  upwards  until  the  whole  is  coated  with 
a  fibrous  matted  mucor.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  of  animal  origin  :  under  a  single  lens,  I 
have  not  been  able  to  discover  any  thing  that  looks  like  the  work  of  an  insect.  The  ques- 
tion is.  Whether  this  fungus  is  the  consequence  of  a  too  feeble  vital  action  ;  or,  to  speak 
more  cautiously,  whether  what  we  call  vital  actions  are  enfeebled  by  any  causes  other  than 
those  which  may  be  attributed  to  wounds  by  insects  1  The  parenchyma  of  the  leaf  is  not 
destroyed,  but  the  surface  is  covered  with  a  white  fibrous  fungus,  analogous  to  the  coverng 
of  the  gooseberry  when  alfected  with  mildew. 

In  undertaking  to  assign  a  cause  for  effects  of  the  foregoing  kind,  it  should  not  be  for- 
gotten that  a  minute  puncture  may  result  in  the  production  of  a  fungous  growth  :  the 
juice  exuding  from  a  wound,  whether  poisoned  or  not,  undergoes  a  change  that  fits  it  for 
the  growth  of  fungi,  which  may  be  in  some  instances  small  and  invisible,  while  in  others 
they  extend  over  large  surfaces,  and,  as  in  the  lychnidea  and  gooseberry,  occupy  in  time 
the  whole  leaf,  or  the  whole  surface  of  the  fruit ;  so  that  a  puncture,  to  us  invisible,  and 
which  may  be  made  by  an  insect,  can  yet  be  detected  in  its  consequences.  The  greater 


ATMOSPHERIC   BLIGHT.  165 

effect  may  be  the  fungous  growtli ;  the  lesser,  the  exudation  of  sap  from  the  puncture,  so 
that  in  these  cases  the  effect  might  be  mistaken  for  the  cause.  The  effect  of  remedies  may 
aid  us  materially  in  arriving  at  a  correct  determination  of  the  cause. 

There  is  still  another  affection  of  the  leaf,  which  results  in  the  injiu-y  if  not  the  death 
of  the  plant.  The  elm,  maple,  chestnut,  and  several  other  trees  are  affected  in  the  way 
about  to  be  described.  Their  leaves  dry  at  the  apex  or  on  the  edge,  become  brown,  and 
curl  up.  This  affection  may  appear  upon  a  small  part  of  the  leaf  only,  or  it  may  cover  the 
whole  surface  of  a  part  or  all  of  the  leaves  upon  a  branch  :  if  only  a  few  leaves  are  dis- 
eased, the  branch  will  live  ;  if  all,  it  dies  simultaneously  with  the  leaves  ;  and  in  some 
instances  the  disease  affects  so  many  limbs,  that  the  life  of  the  tree  is  imminently  threa- 
tened. An  elm  standing  before  my  door  in  Hudson-street  has  lost  a  part  of  its  branches 
every  year  for  many  years  in  succession.  Another  tlu'ifty  elm  was  extensively  affected,  and 
most  of  its  large  branches  died  in  the  course  of  two  weeks.  The  disease  is  the  same  in  both 
cases,  and,  I  think,  in  all  the  instances  which  begin  by  the  drying  of  the  apex  or  margin 
of  the  leaf,  whatever  may  be  the  species  of  the  tree.  In  no  case  could  I  find  an  insect  to 
which  the  effects  could  be  attributed,  but  the  affection  seems  to  prevail  most  under  the 
influence  of  certain  peculiar  states  of  the  weather  ;  and  I  have  also  observed,  that  when 
the  potato  rot  has  been  prevalent  in  its  worst  form,  the  trees  have  been  most  severely 
affected  with  this  disease. 

This  disease  constitutes  a  form  of  blight,  which,  on  a  close  examination  of  the  leaves 
and  limb,  proves  itself  to  be  independent  of  the  cause  that  sometimes  produces  the  pear 
blight,  and  which  Dr.  Hakris  ascribes  to  the  Scolytus  pyri  (  Peck).  The  external  ap- 
pearances in  the  two  cases  are  identical,  and  yet  the  causes  of  the  blight  are  different  : 
in  the  one  case,  it  may  originate  in  the  wounds  of  the  insect  alluded  to  ;  but  in  the  other, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is  produced  by  atmospheric  changes  resulting  from  heat  and 
moisture  combined.  Some  of  our  elms  are  affected  every  season ;  and  when  the  cause 
operates  intensely,  several  kinds  of  trees  suffer  in  the  same  way  :  sometimes  an  entire 
limb  wilts  and  blackens  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  days  ;  and  then  again  the  disease  is 
confined  to  a  few  leaves,  which  fall  off,  and  the  limb  lives  ;  while  in  yet  others  the  edges 
of  the  leaves  dry  and  blacken,  or  one  half  of  a  leaf,  the  other  half  remaining  unaffected. 
I  am  of  opinion  that  we  should  not  attribute  to  insects  a  disease  that  runs  the  course  above 
described  ;  and  as  it  occurs  only  in  certain  states  of  the  atmosphere,  it  is  more  agreeable 
to  analogy  to  assign  the  cause  to  which  I  have  referred  it. 


CeAPTSR    XVI. 


ORDER  VI.    HETEROPTERA. 

This  order  embraces  those  insects  whose  forewings  or  wing-covers  are  coriaceous  at  the 
base  and  membranous  at  the  apex  :  the  body  is  depressed  ;  antennse  elongated  and  filiform  ; 
and  the  mouth,  which  is  placed  on  the  inferior  part  of  the  head,  is  promuscidate.  Meta- 
morphosis semicomplete,  with  an  active  pupa  state. 

It  is  the  Hemiptera  of  most  American  and  English  authors  ;  but  Heteroptera  is  the 
designation  preferred  by  Westwood,  for  reasons  which  make  it  appear  to  be  the  more 
appropriate  name  of  the  two. 

The  order  is  divided  into  two  sections  :  1 .  Hydrocorisa,  the  residents  of  water ;  2. 
AuRocoRisA,  those  which  breathe  air. 

We  have  three  families  at  least  under  the  first  section,  the  Notonectid.5:,  Nepid^e,  and 
Galgulid-s:. 

The  Genus  Notonectus  is  not  uncommon  in  the  springs  that  furnish  the  city  of  Albany 
with  water,  and  which  rise  in  a  high  sandy  plain  some  four  miles  west  of  the  city. 

NOTONECTUS    . 

Body  much  depressed  ;  mouth  promuscidate,  short,  and  composed  of  two  joints  ;  antennse 
lost  in  the  specimen ;  eyes  ovate  :  the  forelegs  advanced,  and  the  tarsi  armed  with  a 
single  two-jointed  claw  ;  the  middle  and  posterior  three-jointed  ;  the  third  minute, 
and  the  last  armed  with  two  claws.  Color  brown  or  olive  brown ;  beneath  lighter 
than  above,  uniform,  and  without  ornaments  or  spots.  Thorax  in  the  form  of  a  segment 
of  a  triangle ;  middle  impressed  with  a  longitudinal  line,  crossed  by  a  transverse 
groove  ;  margin  of  the  thorax  ciliate.  Scutellum  large  ;  base  rather  greater  than  the 
height  :  the  posterior  pair  of  legs  obscurely  barred  with  brown  ;  forelegs  raptorial, 
and  without  bars.  Length  an  inch  and  a  quarter.  Swims  rapidly  upon  its  back,  and 
is  carnivorous. 
The  damage  which  the  JVotonectus  occasions,  consists  in  the  destruction  of  young  fish, 

or  fry  :  in  this  respect  it  is  as  voracious  as  the  Dyticus. 


FAMILY   HYDROMETRID^.  167 

Genus  GALGULUS. 
Body  short,  dilated ;  antennse  short,  terminated  with  a  round  knob,  and  placed  in  a  cavity 
beneath  the  eyes  ;  eyes  subpedicellate  ;  mouth  promuscidate  ;  head  triangular  5  arm 
or  humerus  dilated  ;  tarsi  single-jointed,  armed  with  two  claws  :  on  the  hindlegs,  the 
tarsi  are  two-jointed,  and  armed  with  a  double  claw. 

Galgulus  oculatus. 

Color  brown  or  dark  brown  :  head  vertical,  appears  truncated  before ;  eyes  somewhat 
kidney-form,  elevated,  with  their  front  and  sides  formed  for  vision.  Head  and  thorax 
rough  or  warty  ;  posterior  edge  of  the  thorax  thickened,  and  edge  luteous,  emarginate. 
Scutellum  large,  traversed  by  a  ridge,  and  impressed  with  a  line  upon  its  middle  ; 
sides  tuberculated  :  the  whole  appears  rough.  "Wing-covers  rough,  with  two  or  three 
rows  of  small  tubercles  running  parallel  with  the  sides.  Forelegs  placed  in  front, 
raptorial,  and  with  a  large  dilated  humerus  :  thighs  of  the  middle  legs  somewhat 
dilated ;  hindlegs  long  and  slender,  the  two  last  pair  are  banded.  Length  rather  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  inch. 
Kesembles  a  small  toad,  and  inhabits  muddy  places,  where  it  may  be  seen  running,  and 

sometimes  leaping.  I  have  found  it  in  great  numbers  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  running 

and  hopping  upon  the  mud  beside  streams  of  water. 


Hydrometridae. 


The  habits  of  the  Hydrometrid.e  are  peculiar.  Though  they  have  wings,  they  scarcely 
ever  use  them.  They  do  not  live  in  water,  nor  upon  the  land.  In  the  spring,  summer  and 
autumn,  almost  every  running  stream,  and  pool  connected  with  it,  will  furnish  many 
individuals  of  this  family,  which,  from  their  mode  of  progression  over  the  surface  of  the 
water,  have  been  called  skippers.  Their  legs  are  long  and  angulated,  and  their  bodies  are 
raised  considerably  above  the  surface  over  which  they  glide.  The  antennse  are  long  and 
slender,  and  the  surface  of  their  bodies  is  protected  from  the  wetting  action  of  water  as 
perfectly  as  if  varnished  :  a  skipper,  immersed  in  water,  comes  out  as  dry  as  if  it  had 
been  protected  by  an  india-rubber  coat.  The  surface  of  the  insect,  examined  under  the 
simple  lens,  is  bright  and  glossy  or  lustrous,  from  the  presence  of  a  close  nap,  which  is 
doubtless  the  means  whereby  the  water  is  repelled. 

The  antennae  are  four-jointed ;  the  first  longest,  and  in  the  Geeeis  they  are  placed 
directly  before  the  eyes.  The  forelegs  are  very  much  advanced,  and  seem  to  belong  to  the 
head,  but  are  still  attached  to  the  breast ;  the  tarsi  are  two-jointed. 

The  appeai-ance  of  the  Gerris  is  not  very  much  unlike  that  of  Reduvius,  and  the  forelegs 
might  be  used  for  grasping.  Gerris  marginatus  is  the  most  common  species.  Dr.  Harris 


168  ORDER   HETEROPTERA. 

enumerates  only  three  species.  The  insect  lives  upon  other  small  animals,  which  it  can 
capture,  and  never  upon  the  juices  of  plants  :  it  is  not  known  how  it  provides  for  its 
security  during  winter.  It  moves  upon  the  water  by  a  kind  of  rowing  motion,  but  without 
immersing  its  feet. 

Rednviiclae. 

One  of  the  obvious  characters  of  this  family  is  the  constriction  behind  the  head,  which 
makes  it  appear  to  be  prolonged  or  extended  behind  into  a  narrow  neck.  The  eyes  are  each 
accompanisd  by  a  single  ocellus.  The  antennae  are  sometimes  prolonged  and  slender  ;  in 
other  cases,  short.  The  thorax  is  often  armed  with  a  lateral  spine.  The  legs  are  long,  and 
the  forelegs  rather  stouter  and  raptorial  :  tarsi  three,  and  sometimes  quite  minute. 

Reduvius  .  (  Plate  vii,  fig.  3.) 

Basal  joint  very  short ;  second  joint  longer  than  the  head  and  neck,  two-thirds  as  long  as 
the  whole  organ  ;  fourth  longest,  slender  :  proboscis  as  long  as  the  head  and  neck, 
stout  :  tarsi  three-jointed ;  joints  minute.  Body  elongated,  narrow  :  thorax  armed 
with  two  lateral  spines,  and  in  front  transversely  ridged  :  wings  large  :  legs  long 
and  hairy. 

Reduvius  .  (  Plate  xxix,  fig.  8.) 

Color  brown.  Body  elongated,  oval  or  dilated  behind  :  humerus  dilated  and  banded,  and 

forelegs  raptorial  :  eyes  prominent  :  thorax  faintly  striped  longitudinally  :  abdomen 

ovate  ;  its  edges  spotted  with  red,  brown  and  white,  the  brown  oblong  spots  occupying 

the  greater  part  of  the  margin  :  legs  brown. 

This  species  is  rather  common  upon  low  bushes  during  the  month  of  September,  in  the 

vicinity  of  Albany. 

Hammatocerus  puRcis.  (  Plate  xxx,  fig.  6.) 

CiMEx  PURCIS  (Drury).     Reduvhis  myathemerus  (Illiger). 
Head,  eyes,  thorax,  abdomen,  and  legs  black  :  antennse  setaceous,  with  numerous  joints  : 
scutellum  large,  triangular,  black  ;  corium  white,  terminal  membrane  black  :  wings 
white  and  transparent  :  edges  of  the  abdomen  marked  with  scarlet  spots  :  rostrum 
black  and  short  :  thighs  of  the  hindlegs  scarlet  (  Druuy,  Vol.  iii,  pi.  xlv,  f.  4). 
This  is  not  an  uncommon  species  :  it  is  frequently  met  with  in  autumn  upon  plants 
growing  in  shady  places. 


FAMILIES    hYG^WJE   AND    CIMICID^.  169 


Lygseidoe. 


Antenna  are  four-jointed,  inserted  directly  on  a  line  drawn  from  the  eyes  to  the  base  of 
the  rostrum.  The  body  is  narrow.  The  membranous  portion  of  the  hemelytra  is  furnished 
with  about  five  nervures  :  tarsi  three-jointed. 

The  species  are  small  in  size,  and  resemble  the  Coreid.e  in  form  :  some  are  marked  with 
bright  colors. 

To  this  family  belongs  the  chinch-bug,  which  figured  so  largely  in  "Wisconsin  in  1845, 
and  was  described  in  the  Prairie  Farmer.  According  to  Dr.  Harris,  it  is  the 

Lyg.5:us  leucopterus  (  Saj').      Whitewinged  Lygeus. 

This  insect  I  have  not  seen.  Its  wing-covers  are  white,  marked  with  an  oval  black  spot 
on  a  central  line.  The  body  is  black  and  downy  ;  the  beak,  legs,  antennae  at  the  base,  and 
hinder  edge  of  the  thorax  reddish  yellow.     Length  three-twentieths  of  an  inch. 

The  young  and  immatui-e  are  bright  red,  but  change  to  brown  and  then  to  black,  and 
always  marked  with  a  white  band  across  the  back  (  Harris), 

It  appears  that  the  wheat  and  cornfields  of  the  West  have  suffered  severely  from  this 
insect. 


Cimicidse. 

The  next  family  has  received  the  name  CiMiciD.ffi;,  and  contains  the  bedbug,  an  insect  too 
well  known  to  require  any  very  minute  description  for  its  identification. 

CiMEX  LECTULARius  (Llnnffius). 
Body  depressed  or  flat  :  antennse  four-jointed ;  thorax  sublunate  ;  abdomen  circular ; 
wings  rudimentary,  scale-like  ;  tarsi  three-jointed. 
The  history  of  this  bug  is  not  uninteresting,  and  it  is  not  yet  decided  what  country  is 
entitled  to  the  honor  of  having  first  given  it  birth.  The  English  entomologists  say  that  it 
was  unknown  in  London,  or  in  England,  until  after  the  great  fire  of  1666  ;  and  it  is  as- 
serted by  some  that  it  was  about  this  time  introduced  into  England  from  America,  in  the 
fir  timber  imported  to  rebuild  the  city.  This  is  partly  sustained  by  the  fact  that  it  is  still 
unknown  in  some  of  the  remoter  parts  of  the  kingdom.  It  is  further  proved  that  Shake- 
speare was  unacquainted  with  it,  as  no  mention  is  made  of  it  in  his  writings.  Whether  this 
fact  is  decisive  of  the  question,  I  leave  it  for  others  to  say ;  only  I  would  observe  that  it 
seems  to  me  that  none  of  its  habits  are  calculated  to  awaken  poetical  associations.  On  the 
other  hand,  according  to  the  statement  of  Westwood,  it  appears  to  have  been  known  as 
early  as  1503. 

[  Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  22 


170  ORDER   HETEROPTERA. 

The  cheapest,  cleanliest,  and  best  way  to  get  rid  of  the  bedbug,  is  to  employ  a  saturated 
solution  of  salt  in  water.  The  free  use  of  salt  will  drive  them  from  the  bedstead  to  the 
covering,  and  to  chinks  in  the  wall  or  floor  ;  whither  the  solution  must  follow  them,  or 
the  remedy  will  fail,  as  often  happens  with  others  that  have  been  recommended,  and  for 
the  same  reason. 

If  all  is  true  that  is  affirmed  of  this  bug,  we  cannot  deny  that  its  instincts  are  of  a  high 
order.  If,  for  instance,  it  is  unable  to  mount  the  bedposts,  it  climbs  the  walls  and  gains  the 
ceiling,  and,  when  it  has  reached  a  position  immediately  above  the  sleeping  individual, 
drops  down  upon  him.  This  devising  of  means  to  accomplish  an  end,  shows  the  insect  to 
possess  a  high  instinctive  power.  It  is  also  a  curious  fact,  and  one  worthy  of  note,  that  the 
bedbug  is  only  found  in  a  domesticated,  never  in  a  wild  state. 

The  fivorite  food  of  this  insect  is  blood,  but  it  is  not  confined  to  this  diet  :  hence  it 
subsists,  and  continues  to  perform  the  common  functions  of  life  when  deprived  of  blood. 
Any  albuminous  matters  either  in  a  wet  or  dry  state,  juices  of  wood,  etc.  etc.  suffice  it 
when  its  favorite  source  of  food  is  inaccessible.  It  is,  however,  said,  upon  high  authority, 
that  mahogany,  walnut,  oak,  and  cedar  are  fatal  to  these  bugs  ;  and  that  when  enclosed 
in  a  box  made  of  either  of  these  woods,  they  speedily  perish. 

Their  powers  of  increase  are  considerable  :  a  female  lays  at  four  difierent  periods  during 
the  year,  and  produces  about  fifty  young  bugs  at  each  litter  ;  so  that  at  this  rate,  if  she  is 
fortunate  in  escaping  the  persecution  of  the  housekeeper,  she  will  rear  two  hundred  a 
year.  The  young  attain  their  full  growth  in  eleven  weeks.  It  reqiiires,  therefore,  consider- 
able diligence  and  activity  to  get  ahead  of  this  little  foe  to  quiet  and  comfortable  repose. 

Fumigation  with  sulphur  is  an  effectual  remedy  against  bugs  when  they  infest  the  en- 
tries, woodwork,  or  crevices  of  old  houses,  or  when  intolerably  numerous  in  the  cabins  of 
vessels. 


Coreidse. 

The  C0REID.S;  resemble  very  closely  the  Reduviidje  ;  but  it  requires  only  a  slight  compari- 
son of  the  families,  to  be  satisfied  that  they  are  essentially  different.  The  species  of  the  first 
named  family  are  characterized  by  the  last  joint  of  the  antennpe,  which  is  either  thicker  or 
longer  than  the  others.  The  joints  are  still  four  in  number,  and  are  inserted  near  a  line 
running  from  the  eye  to  the  base  of  the  rostrum.  The  rostrum  is  three-jointed,  and  the 
middle  joint  is  the  longest  :  in  some  of  our  species,  it  extends  to  the  base  of  the  hindlegs. 
There  is  an  ocellus  near  each  round  eye.  The  hemelytra  terminate  as  usual  in  a  membrane 
more  or  less  diaphanous,  and  in  this  family  they  show  numerous  longitudinal  nerves.  The 
margins  of  the  abdomen  are  not  concealed  or  covered  by  these  organs,  and  hence  they  may 
often  be  seen  slightly  projecting  in  the  form  of  a  sharp  edge.  The  tarsi  are  three-jointtd. 


FAMILIES    COREIDJE    AND    SCUTELLERID^E.  171 

We  have  many  species  belonging  to  this  family.  Probably  no  one,  who  has  ever  been 
engaged  in  gathering  our  small  fruits,  but  has  observed  these  narroAv  or  rather  elongated 
bugs,  some  of  them  ornamented  very  elaborately  with  bright  colors,  as  for  instance  the 
red  and  yellow  that  Ijorder  their  elytra  and  superior  surlace. 

Genus  COREUS. 
'  Antennte  four-jointed  :  second  and  third  longest ;  the  fourth  rather  enlarged  or  thickened, 
and  shorter  than  the  second  or  third.  Sides  of  the  thorax  not  dilated'  (  Westwood). 

CoREus  TRisTis.     Squas/ibug.  (  Plate  vii,  fio'.  1.) 

Color  dark  brown,  rusty  brown,  yellowish  beneath  :  head  marked  with  a  red  line  ex- 
tending to  the  front  of  the  thorax  ;  two  others,  parallel  with  the  former,  pass  by  the 
side  of  the  eyes.  Thorax  roughened  with  elevated  black  points,  concealing  the  red 
ground   beneath  :  lateral  edges  also  reddish ;  posterior  angles  rounded,  and  base 
broadly  grooved  transvei-sely.  Membranous  part  of  the  hemelytra  black,  and  showing 
numerous  longitudinal  nervures.  Beneath  rusty  ochre-yellow,  and  each  segment  of 
the  abdomen  marked  with  a  row  of  black  points  near  the  outer  edge,  and  a  parallel 
row  of  small  black  spots,  the  latter  rather  obscure. 
The  squashbug  is  a  common  insect  in  gardens  and  fields,  and  is  found  not  only  on  squash 
leaves,  but  upon  those  of  the  pumpkin  also.  It  is  injurious  by  inflicting  numerous  punc- 
tures upon  the  leaves,  which  cause  them  to  wither  and  dry,  and,  if  the  plant  is  feeble,  will 
destroy  it.  The  first  remedy  for  the  effects  of  minute  wounds  of  this  kind,  is  to  cultivate 
highly,  so  as  to  impart  to  the  plant  sufficient  health  and  vigor  to  resist  injuries  by  a  rapid 
growth.  If  this  does  not  answer,  it  will  be  necessary  to  find  the  insects  and  destroy  them 
under  foot,  before  their  eggs  are  deposited  for  the  new  brood.  The  eggs  are  laid  about  the 
last  of  June,  by  the  insects  that  have  survived  the  winter.  During  the  summer,  it  will 
frequently  happen  that  the  young  appear  at  different  times,  and  they  may  be  found  col- 
lected together  in  little  groups. 


Scutelleridae. 

This  family  is  perhaps  better  known  through  some  of  its  species  than  others.  The  dis- 
agreeable smelling  bugs  that  frequent  berry  bushes  and  strawberry  vines  belong  here. 
They  are  depressed  and  of  an  oval  form,  and  are  furnished  with  a  very  large  scutellum. 
The  rostrum  is  composed  of  four  joints,  instead  of  three  ;  and  the  antenna  sometimes  has 
five  joints,  but  not  always.  Two  ocelli  are  always  present,  and  the  tarsus  is  thrte-jointed. 
Of  this  family,  the  Genus  Pentatoma  is  one  of  the  most  common,  and  feeds  upon  the 
juices  of  plants  ( Plate  vii,  fig.  2 ).  Sometimes  it  has  only  to  pass  over  a  fruit,  to  impart  to 
it  its  offensive  odor. 


CHAPTER  X¥II. 


ORDER  VII.     DIPTERA  (Aristotle). 

ANTLIATA  (  Fabricius).     HALTERIPTERA  (Clairville). 

The  obvious  characteristic  of  this  order  is  the  possession  of  two  wings  only,  and  a  pair  of 
small  knobbed  appendages  just  behind  them,  which  are  called  halteres  or  poisers,  as  in  the 
common  fly.  The  wings  are  membranous  and  placed  upon  the  mesothorax,  and,  when  at 
rest,  remain  expanded  as  in  the  Hymenoptera  ;  that  is,  they  are  never  folded  upon  them- 
selves. The  tarsi  are  five-jointed.  The  mouth  has  a  fleshy  proboscis,  which  is  merely  a 
modified  labium.  This  proboscis  encloses  several  lancet-like  organs,  capable  of  penetrating 
flesh  or  the  softer  parts  of  vegetables  :  the  month  is  therefore  suctorial.  In  a  few  genera, 
as  the  CEsTRus,  the  mouth  is  closed.  The  thorax  is  compact,  and  the  prothorax  is  reduced 
to  a  collar.  The  wings,  which  represent  the  fore  pair  in  other  four-winged  insects,  are 
membranous,  naked,  or  rather  clothed  with  scales.  The  disc  is  divided  into  a  moderate 
number  of  areolets,  by  the  inosculation  or  junction  of  the  nervures  or  veins. 

Tills  order  of  insects  is  clearly  separated  from  each  of  the  other  orders  :  where  some 
species  belonging  to  the  Order  Neuroptera  are  deprived  of  a  pair  of  wings,  they  may  still 
be  distinguished  by  the  absence  of  halteres  or  balancers.  The  jaws  of  the  diptera  are  never 
formed  for  biting  or  nipping  :  so  the  neuration  of  the  wings  of  the  diptera  are  quite  dif- 
ferent from  that  in  the  other  orders. 

The  size  of  the  individuals  composing  this  order  may  be  called  small ;  but  what  is 
lacking  in  this  respect  is  more  than  made  up  in  numbers,  and  this  whether  we  take  into 
consideration  the  number  of  species,  or  the  vast  number  of  individuals  that  sometimes 
swarm  together. 

Some  of  the  diptera  have  domesticated  themselves  in  our  dwellings,  to  the  great  an- 
noyance of  all  good  housekeepers ;  and  notwithstanding  the  brush  and  the  broom  is  freely 
used  to  drive  them  away,  they  seem  to  entertain  no  fears  of  the  consequences  of  returning 
to  their  old  quarters.  Ai-senic  fly-powder,  and  all  the  various  traps  that  'the  ingenuity  of 
man  has  yet  devised,  have  not  thinned  the  ranks  of  the  housefly.  Wherever  man  goes,  the 
fly  follows  in  his  steps,  and  makes  a  free  use  of  his  dwelling  whenever  the  weather  with- 
out becomes  uncomfortable. 


FAMILY    TIPULID^.  173 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  many  of  the  diptera,  though  small  in  size,  are  great 
annoyances  to  man  and  animals  :  the  astridce  are  perpetual  torments  to  our  domestic  ani- 
mals ;  and  musquitoes,  in  the  warmer  regions  especially,  are  so  troublesome  as  to  require 
special  means  of  protection  from  their  stings. 

The  transformations  in  this  order  are  incomplete.  The  larvffi  are  wliite  and  fleshy,  cy 
lindric,  and  without  feet  :  they  are  usually  called  maggots. 

Tipulidae. 

Genus  CECIDOMYIA. 

It  is  a  very  curious  fact  in  natural  history,  that  the  most  serious  injuries  the  crops  of  the 
husbandman  receive  are  inflicted  by  insects  the  most  minute  and  insignificant  in  size  :  the 
very  wealvest  among  the  tribes  of  animals  are  the  greatest  destroyers  of  the  products  of 
man's  industry.  The  whirlwind  or  the  hailstorm,  it  is  true,  sometimes  sweeps  over  his  fields 
of  wheat  and  corn,  or  a  flood  of  water  may  pass  over  them,  and  leave  desolation  in  its 
track ;  but  these  terrific  visitants  are  harmless  in  comparison  to  the  tiny  fly  that  sports 
and  dances  over  his  grain-fields.  With  all  our  wisdom,  we  have  not  yet  devised  a  weapon 
to  extirpate  this  foe,  nor  a  defence  to  secure  us  from  its  ravages  :  our  most  successful 
efibrts  have  been  biit  failures  ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  aid  of  the  elements,  or  the  secret 
influence  of  an  unseen  but  benignant  hand,  the  foe  would  maintain  the  field  in  the  face  of 
him  who  has  subjected  to  his  will  the  proud  warhorse  and  the  colossal  elephant. 

Cecidomyia  is  tlie  generic  name  of  these  destroyers  :  they  are  flies,  each  with  two  wings, 
antennae,  poisers,  etc.  Several  species  have  been  described,  one  of  the  most  prominent  of 
which  is  the  C.  destructor  of  Say,  the  hessian  fly.  The  genus  is  characterized  by  the  joints 
of  the  antennse  being  variable  from  fourteen  to  seventeen  :  the  form  of  the  joints  in  the 
female  also  differ  from  their  form  in  the  male  ;  the  former  being  oval,  and  the  latter  glo- 
bular, but  both  are  furnished  with  hairs  issuing  from  the  joints  in  the  form  of  a  whorl 
(See  Plate  iv,  fig.  1).  Wings  three-nerved,  ciliate  or  fringed  :  joints  of  the  tarsus  short. 

Cecidomyia  destructor.     Hessian-fly.  ( Plate  iv.) 

This  species  is  black,  except  that  the  abdomen  is  only  tawny,  though  each  ring  is  more  or 
less  black  :  legs  pale  red  or  brownish,  with  black  feet.  Length  of  the  body  one-tenth 
of  an  inch  :  the  expansion  of  wing  rather  exceeds  the  length  of  the  fly.  See  fig.  1  c, 
which  represents  the  natural  size  of  the  Cecidomyia  destructor. 
The  hessian-fly  has  occasioned  as  much  controversy  as  any  species  in  the  insect  kingdom. 
I  published  iu  the  American  Journal  of  Science  in  1846  -  47  an  article  furnished  by  Dr. 
Fitch,  which  contains  all  the  important  facts  in  its  history.  I  deem  it,  therefore,  unneces- 
sary here  to  go  over  all  of  the  ground  occupied  by  that  paper. 


174  ORDER    DIPTERA. 

As  regards  its  origin,  it  appears  from  the  numerous  accounts  published  at  different  times 
during  the  last  half  century,  that  the  hessian-fly  is  not  indigenaus  to  this  country,  but  was 
imported  in  straw  from  Europe  by  the  Hessians  in  the  employ  of  the  English  government 
about  the  year  177G.  The  facts  which  go  to  sustain  this  view  of  the  question  are,  that  an 
insect  had  appeared  in  Germany,  and  committed  ravages  upon  the  Avheat  crop  prior  to  ils 
apijearance  in  this  country  ;  and  that  the  habits  and  characters  of  this  german  insect  agree 
.  with  those  of  the  one  named  in  this  article.  It  is  farther  shown  by  the  history  of  its  pro- 
gress in  this  country,  that  it  was  first  observed  upon  the  western  extremity  of  Long  Island, 
and  on  Staten  Island,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  grounds  occupied  by  this 
branch  of  the  English  ai-my ;  and  that  from  this  centre  it  spread  in  all  directions,  travel- 
ling slowly  over  the  cultivated  jiarts  of  the  country,  and  destroying  the  wheat  crop  in  its 
course.  Its  march,  and  the  consequent  destruction  of  the  wheat  crop,  was  marked  by  an 
increase  in  its  numbers,  and  in  the  amount  of  its  injury  for  an  uncertain  number  of  years, 
when  it  gradually  disappeared  from  the  country  it  had  occupied  and  wasted.  After  long 
intervals  of  freedom  from  the  ravages  of  this  fly,  it  gradually  returns  and  renews  its  at- 
tacks upon  the  wheat  crop,  running  about  the  same  course  in  its  second  as  in  its  first 
visitation.  It  has  very  recently  passed  over  parts  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  I  observed  it 
in  the  former  State  in  1849.  I  think  we  may  infer  from  its  history  and  progress,  that  in  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  where  wheat  is  cultivated  as  a  staple  product,  it  will  continue 
its  injurious  career  hereafter  as  in  times  past. 

The  species  of  fly  which  has  received  the  name  Cecidomyia  destructor  from  the  distin- 
guished entomologist  Say,  possesses  the  following  specific  characters  :  Female,  head  black, 
flattened,  globular  ;  antennse  about  half  the  length  of  the  body,  and  composed  of  sixteen 
oval  joints  furnished  with  a  whorl  of  minute  hairs,  the  two  basal  joints  close  and  globular, 
terminal  joint  the  longest ;  palpi  three-jointed,  hairy  ;  thorax  black,  oval,  broadest  behind 
the  wing-sockets ;  scutel  black ;  poisers  only  dusky ;  abdomen  black  above ;  sutures 
tawny  fulvous,  elongate  ovate,  scarcely  equalling  the  thorax  in  width ;  ovipositor  rose-red ; 
wings  dusky,  fulvous  at  their  base  ;  legs  equal,  pallid  brown  ;  tarsi  black,  equalling  the 
legs  in  length.  Male  :  antenna  three-fourths  the  length  of  the  body ;  joints  globular, 
and  furnished  with  hairs  as  those  of  the  female  ;  filaments  separating  the  joints,  about  as 
Jong  as  the  joints  :  abdomen  brownish  black,  cylindric,  seven-jointed  and  slightly  tapering, 
the  extremity  armed  with  two  robust  processes  having  incurved  hooks  at  their  tips. 

It  appears  from  Dr.  Fitch's  statement,  that  in  the  spring  the  perfect  insect  remains  but 
about  a  week,  during  which  time  it  deposits  its  eggs  for  the  summer  brood.  The  first  brood 
appears  about  the  first  of  May  in  Northern  New- York,  and  of  course  is  hatched  from  eggs 
that  were  laid  the  preceding  autumn  ;  the  insect  having  subsisted  upon  the  juices  of  the 
herbage,  or  lain  in  a  dormant  state  from  that  time.  Early  in  May,  then,  the  fly  deposits 
its  eggs,  in  the  same  field,  upon  the  more  succulent  leaves,  near  their  insertion  with  the 
stem  of  the  plant,  which  it  may  readily  reach  after  being  hatched.  After  a  time  the  worm 


FAMILY    TIPULID^.  175 

is  found  attached  to  the  stem,  near  or  upon  the  first  and  second  join(s.  Dr.  Fitch  remarks 
that  the  second  brood  is  less  injurious  than  the  first,  in  consequence  of  the  more  advanced 
state  of  the  grain  and  the  firmer  consistence  of  the  stalii.  The  worm,  by  its  irritation, 
diverts  the  current  of  flowing  sap  to  itself,  and  produces  an  enlargement  of  the  stem  at 
the  place  where  it  is  attached.  The  culm  is  weakened  by  the  change  of  structure  that  has 
taken  place  in  consequence  of  the  numerous  worms  usually  congregated  near  its  base. 
By  the  first  of  June,  the  worm  has  changed  into  its  flaccid  state  ;  and  about  the  last  of 
July,  or  early  in  August,  the  mature  insect,  the  fly,  appears  for  the  second  time.  This  last 
brood  of  flies  is  now  ready  for  the  young  wheat  that  may  be  sowed,  upon  the  leaves  of 
which  they  deposit  their  eggs,  and  there  finish  their  transformations  so  as  to  appear  in 
New- York  the  last  of  April. 

Thus  careful  observation  has  proved  thai  but  two  broods  appear  during  the  year,  thougli 
it  has  been  maintained  by  some  observers  that  there  are  three.  This  latter  opinion  seems 
to  have  arisen  from  the  fact  that  an  entire  brood  does  not  appear  at  once,  or  on  the  same 
day,  but  the  fly  may  and  does  continue  to  come  forth  for  as  many  as  ten  or  twelve  days 
after  the  first  of  the  brood  are  hatched. 

The  most  important  question  which  stands  connected  with  the  hessian-fly,  is,  By  what 
means  shall  the  farmer  protect  himself  from  its  ravages'?  Now  we  have  very  slight  grounds 
for  expecting,  or  even  for  hoping  that  a  remedy  will  ever  be  found  that  shall  meet  our 
wishes  in  this  respect.  The  evil  is  rather  to  be  warded  off"  by  a  judicious  use  of  means  that 
are  related  to  the  habits  of  the  fly,  and  to  the  habitudes  of  the  wheat  plant  itself.  When 
a  district,  however,  is  extensively  affected,  the  true  course  undoubtedly  is  to  cease  cul- 
tivating wheat,  and  perhaps  barley  also,  until  the  fly  has  disappeared. 

Recurring  to  the  habits  of  the  insect,  the  most  significant  are  the  time  of  its  appearance, 
and  the  time  it  continues  in  its  perfect  state,  during  which  it  is  engaged  in  laying  its  eggs^ 
an  operation,  the  exact  time  of  which  it  is  essential  for  us  to  know  in  this  case ;  and  it  is 
a  law  of  nature  in  the  insect  class,  that  when  swarms  are  produced,  they  come  forth  at 
regular  periods  of  time.  The  habits  alluded  to  are  well  known  in  the  case  of  the  hessian- 
fly.  As  to  the  time  when  the  insect  appears,  it  is  established  by  observation  that  about  the 
first  of  May,  or  at  time  in  the  spring  when  the  earliest  trees  and  plants  are  flowering,  this 
fly  is  maturing,  and  comes  forth  near  the  time  specified  ;  and  the  first  brood  is  hatched 
from  eggs  laid  in  autumn.  These  two  facts  unite  to  suggest  the  same  precautionary  measure 
to  be  taken  for  the  eradication  of  the  fly  from  both  the  winter  and  the  spring  crop,  name- 
ly, to  delay  sowing  the  grain  until  the  fly  has  disappeared,  or  to  that  period  when  the 
plant  will  come  up  too  late  for  the  deposit  of  eggs  upon  it.  Experience  has  proved  the 
efficacy  of  late  sowing  in  both  kinds  of  wheat. 

Another  remedy  is  connected  with  the  place  where  the  eggs  are  deposited,  and  where 
the  transformations  are  undergone.  It  seems  established  that  the  real  hessian-fly  deposits 
its  eggs  upon  the  young  leaf,  near  the  stem,  and  near  the  base  of  the  stem.  The  consequence 


176  ORDER    DIPTERA. 

is,  that  in  reaping  or  harvesting  the  grain,  the  straw  is  cut  above  the  place  where  the  larvse 
or  eggs  are  usually  found  ;  and  it  would  be  well,  in  all  cases  where  the  fly  is  found,  to 
cut  the  straw  higlier  than  customary.  Now  if  the  stubl)le  is  turned  under  for  the  next  crop, 
a  large  proportion  of  the  eggs  will  mature,  and  the  succeeding  wheat-plants  will  form  a 
habitation  for  the  forthcoming  August  brood  ;  l:>ut  if  the  stubble  is  first  burned,  the  eggs 
will  be  desti'oyed,  or  but  few  will  escape.  The  objection  to  this  summary  remedy  is,  that 
it  also  destroys  those  little  insects  that  prey  upon  the  hessian-fly.  I  deem  this  a  very  light 
objection,  for  the  fire  will  destroy  hundreds  of  eggs  where  the  enemy  of  the  fly  would 
devour  one.  Burning  off  the  stubble,  then,  must  be  ranked  among  the  best  palliative  means 
for  saving  the  wheat-crop. 

There  are  also  two  remedies  having  relation  to  the  habitudes  of  the  wheat  itself,  and  to 
its  varieties.  It  appears  to  be  established  by  observation  that  some  varieties  are  less  subject 
to  injury  than  others,  or  indeed  that  some  are  nearly  fly-proof  :  this  is  one  of  the  earliest 
facts  on  record,  and  all  experience  hitherto  has  fully  sustained  it ;  the  straw  of  these 
varieties  being  too  siliceous  to  allow  of  a  ready  lodgment  and  home  for  the  larva  of  the 
fly.  The  other  remedy  here  alluded  to,  rests  on  the  practicability  to  push  forward  and 
mature  the  plant  sufiiciently  to  give  it  strength  to  resist  eifectually  the  injuries  the  stem 
receives  from  the  maggot  in  its  flaccid  state.  High  cultivation  should  be  called  to  our  aid 
here,  and  it  undoubtedly  will  prove  a  very  efficient  safeguard  :  its  effects  are  twofold,  as 
exhibited  in  an  augmentation  of  the  power  of  the  plant  to  resist  injury,  and  in  the  produc- 
tion of  a  better  crop  ;  so  that  the  remedy  is  not  entirely  lost,  even  if  it  does  not  succeed 
in  the  way  we  wish. 

Objections  have  been  made  to  the  first  two  remedies  above  proposed  :  for  instance,  by 
late  sowing,  the  grain  is  liable  to  be  winter-killed  ;  but  would  not  this  risk  be  greatly 
diminished,  or  even  obviated  entirely,  by  drilling  in  the  grain  1  The  burning  of  the  stubble 
is  objected  to,  because  it  destroys  the  parasites  of  the  fly ;  but  this,  as  I  have  said  before, 
is  scarcely  an  objection  ;  while  for  the  utility  of  the  remedy,  we  have  the  testimony  of 
Harris,  Herrick  and  Hanaus,  the  latter  of  whom  originally  proposed  it,  and  the  two 
former  are  entitled  to  the  highest  consideration  as  observers  and  men  of  science. 

Of  the  numerous  applications  to  the  grain  crop,  for  the  purpose  of  killing  the  insect 
directly,  I  have  no  faith.  Rolling  the  seed  in  plaster ;  steeping  it  in  various  salts  ;  sowing 
lime,  etc.  over  the  field  of  young  wheat,  are  beneficial  remedies  in  an  indirect  way  :  they 
give  vigor  and  strength  to  the  plant,  and  hence  are  useful  as  palliatives. 

Cecidomyia  tritici.      Wheat-fly. 
This  species  is  very  distinct  from  the  hessian-fly  :  its  habits  sufiiciently  show  this  dif- 
ference ;  and  the  remedies  which  are  in  some  degree  palliative  in  the  case  of  the  hessian- 
fly,  are  valueless  against  the  Cecidomyia  tritici.  Among  its  peculiarities,  some  of  the  most 
remarkable  are  that  it  deposits  its  eggs  in  the  wheat-head,  and  undergoes  its  metamorphoses 


FAMILY   TIPULID^.  177 

in  the  soil ;  and  that  the  mature  animal  is  engaged  longer  in  the  work  of  depositing  its 
eggs,  than  is  the  hessian-fly.  Tliese  distinctions  must  govern  our  attempts  to  guard  against 
the  attacks  of  these  insects. 

The  wheat-ily  possesses  the  following  characteristics  :  Body  orange  ;  wings  transparent, 
rounded  at  the  tip,  ciliate,  or  fringed  with  minute  hairs.  FEiViALE,  the  antennse  are  beaded ; 
joints  twelve,  whorled  with  hairs  ;  eyes  black  :  length  about  one-tenth  of  an  inch.  Males, 
the  antennse  with  twenty-foiu*  joints,  globular,  and  whorled  with  hair  as  in  the  female  : 
size  somewhat  variable,  but  less  than  the  female.  Its  general  appearance  is  that  of  an 
orange-colored  gnat. 

The  first  account  of  this  insect  was  given  by  Mr.  Jewett,  in  the  nineteenth  volume  of 
the  New-England  Farmer,  1820.  According  to  Judge  Buel,  it  was  observed  here  in  1828. 
Its  first  appearance  in  this  country  was  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States  :  several 
of  the  Eastern  States,  and  the  Canadian  provinces,  have  been  visited  by  it.  The  cultivation 
of  wheat  was  suspended  for  many  years,  in  consequence  of  its  injurious  attacks. 

The  time  of  the  appearance  of  this  fly  varies  according  to  the  situation  of  the  country, 
being  in  some  places  early  in  June,  and  in  others  as  late  as  August ;  indeed,  according  to 
Mr.  Harris's  Keport,  as  late  as  the  20th  of  August.  The  first  half  of  July,  however,  is  the 
period  when  the  largest  number  of  eggs  is  deposited  ;  a  period  which,  in  New-England, 
would  find  the  spring  and  winter  grains  in  the  best  state  for  receiving  their  eggs.  The 
insects  are  active  in  the  morning  and  evening,  and  appear  in  swarms ;  but  during  the  day, 
when  the  sky  is  cloudless,  they  conceal  themselves  among  the  grain  and  grass.  After  about 
eight  days,  the  eggs  that  have  been  deposited  in  the  heads  of  the  grain  are  hatched.  The 
maggots  are  orange-yellow,  and,  according  to  the  observations  of  Mrs.  Gage  of  New- 
Hampshire,  they  attain  their  growth  in  about  twelve  or  fourteen  days  :  they  are  then 
about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  length,  but  their  size  is  not  uniform.  Their  number  is  also 
variable,  as  many  as  forty  being  sometimes  found  on  a  single  plant,  and  at  other  times  two 
or  three  only.  They  seem  to  be  influenced  by  exposure ;  for  in  hilly  places,  where  the 
grain  is  exposed  to  the  wind,  they  are  much  less  numerous  than  in  sheltered  spots. 

The  injury  that  wheat  sustains  ft-om  the  presence  of  this  fly  depends  upon  its  state  of 
forwardness.  As  the  worm  is  improvided  with  boring  instruments,  it  is  principally  during 
the  soft  state  of  the  grain  that  it  has  the  power  to  do  the  most  hurt.  If  the  egg  is  deposited 
so  as  to  be  hatched  when  the  pjant  is  in  blossom,  it  is  then  capable  of  inflicting  the  greatest 
amount  of  injury";  for  at  this  time  it  is  supposed  to  subsist  on  the  pollen,  and  may  there- 
fore prevent  the  fertilization  of  many  kernels  in  the  same  head ;  and  then  also  it  obtains 
the  milky  fluid  that  begins  to  be  formed  at  this  period,  and  is  now  accessible  through  the 
softness  of  the  skin  or  epidermis  of  the  grain.  But  if  the  time  of  deposition  of  the  egg  is 
such  that  it  becomes  hatched  after  the  plant  has  flowered,  and  the  kernel  has  acquired 
some  considerable  hardness,  the  worm  is  incapable  of  absorbing  nutriment,  and  perishes 
for  want  of  food. 

[  Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  23 


178  ORDER    DIPTERA. 

The  worms  acquire  their  full  size  and  perfection,  cast  their  skins,  and  descend  to  tie 
ground  early  in  August,  or  perhaps  as  late  as  the  middle  of  the  month.  They  bury  them- 
selves in  the  soil  at  the  depth  of  about  an  inch,  where  they  remain  through  the  winter. 
There  is  therefore  but  one  brood  in  a  c-eason.  The  worm  is  speedily  changed  into  a  pupa, 
in  which  state  it  remains  until  ready  to  issue  from  the  ground  in  June  or  July  of  the  next 
year,  in  the  imago  state,  or  the  perfect  fly. 

The  means  that  have  been  proposed  to  destroy  this  kind  of  wheat-fly  are  numerous  :  if 
any  of  them  are  to  be  effectual,  it  is  evident  they  should  be  resorted  to  over  the  whole 
district  infested  by  the  insect. 

Among  the  remedies  which  seem  to  have  been  at  least  partially  successful,  is  that  of  the 
abandonment  of  the  cultivation  of  winter  wheat  for  tlie- substitution  of  the  spring  variety, 
and  late  sowing.  The  remedy  operates  on  the  principle  of  starvation,  and  would  probably 
be  completely  successful,  were  it  not  that  grasses  and  other  grains,  as  oats,  rye  and  barley, 
offer  suitable  recipients  for  the  eggs  of  the  insect,  and  furnish  nutriment  for  its  progeny. 

It  is  recommended  to  smoke  them  out.  To  carry  on  this  plan  of  warfare,  the  flies  must 
be  attacked  in  the  evening,'  when  they  rise  from  their  lurking  places  in  the  depths  of  the 
grain.  Brimstone,  mingled  with  other  combustible  matter,  should  be  burned  in  a  position 
to  give  them  the  full  benefit  of  the  smoke  and  vapor  when  they  rise  upon  the  wing,  and 
hover  over  the  grain. 

Another  recommendation  is  to  sow  fine  quicklime  over  the  field  when  the  heads  of  the 
grain  are  moist  :  this  may  be  repeated  several  times. 

It  is  recommended  by  Dr.  Fitch  to  first  catch,  and  then  kill  them.  The  method  of  doing 
this  is  sufficiently  simple  and  easy,  and  deserves  a  trial.  Take  a  long  rope,  attached  to  a 
wide  open  tight  bag  ;  and  let  two  men,  one  at  each  end  of  the  rope,  pass  through  the  field, 
dragging  the  open  wide-mouthed  net  over  the  heads  of  wheat.  Go  over  the  whole  field  in 
this  way,  and  millions  of  the  fly  will  be  caught  if  the  net  or  bag  is  properly  managed. 

Deep  ploughing  is  also  a  remedy  that  deserves  trial,  and  indeed  has  been  tried  and 
followed  with  success.  This,  of  course,  is  to  be  resorted  to  after  harvest  :  the  object  is  to 
bury  the  insects  so  deep  that  they  will  be  unable  to  find  their  way  out  of  the  ground  the 
next  season. 

The  Cecidomyia  which  has  appeared  in  this  country  is  now  regarded  as  identical  with 
the  C.  tntici  of  Europe,  which  has  been  known  in  England  and  Scotland  for  two-thirds  of 
a  century,  and  was  described  at  an  early  period.  In  this  country,  especially  in  the  vicinity 
of  Albany  and  in  the  county  of  Berkshire  in  Massachusetts,  it  has  been  disappearing  gra- 
dually for  the  last  ten  years,  and  the  wheat  crop  has  again  become  a  profitable  one  ;  and 
the  probability  is,  that  with  our  present  knowledge  of  its  habits,  and  of  the  means  for  its 
extirpation  or  for  avoiding  its  worst  injuries,  we  may  hereafter  escape  its  depredations. 


FAMILY   TIPULID^.  179 

Cecidomyia  robinia  (  Haldeman).  (  Plcate  iv,  figs.  3,  4,  5,  6.) 

Color  of  the  fly  orange  red ;  antennse  and  wings  dusky ;  thorax  marked  by  three  dark 

lines  :  two  dusky  spots  on  the  sides  of  the  body.  Lengtli  three-twentieths  of  an  inch. 

The  larva  is  a  maggot  of  a  whitish  color,  faintly  tinged  with  orange,  rather  deeper 

towards  the  head  :  pupa  or  chrysalis  naked,  or  destitute  of  a  cocoon. 

This  species  inhabits  the  locust-tree,  and  was  first  described  by  Prof.  Haldeman*.  The 

leaf  becomes  thickened  on  its  edge,  and  rolled  over  ;  and  thus  a  cavity  is  formed,  which 

contains  two  or  three  larvEe  of  this  species. 

Cecidomyia  salicis  (  Fitch).  Willow  Cecidomyia^, 
Color  of  the  fly  black  above,  paler  beneath  and  downy ;  wings  smoky ;  legs  gray.  Length 
of  the  body,  one-fifth  of  an  inch  ;  expansion  of  wing,  three-tenths. 
Inhabits  a  reddish  gall  upon  the  low  willow  bushes  of  wet  places  :  it  is  of  an  oval  form, 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  and  is  terminated  by  a  conical  beak.  Within  a  silken  lined 
cavity,  early  in  the  spring,  there  will  be  found  a  single  orange-colored  maggot  one-fifth  of 
an  inch  long.  Soon  it  changes  to  a  pupa,  but  without  moulting  ;  and  in  a  very  few  days  it 
passes  from  its  prison,  after  casting  the  pupa  skin,  and  takes  the  winged  form.  Its  size, 
together  with  the  rapidity  of  its  changes,  renders  the  species  an  interesting  object  of  study. 
Its  damage  to  the  basket  willow  is  but  slight. 

Cecidomyia  culmicola  ( Morris). 

The  C.  culmicola  is  a  provisional  species,  whose  habits  have  been  investigated  by  Miss 
Margaretta  H.  Morris,  by  whom  also  it  was  discovered.  Its  habits  are  quite  diiferent 
from  those  of  either  of  the  foregoing  species.  The  fly  lays  its  eggs  upon  the  grain,  in  or 
over  the  germ,  where  they  remain  unhatched  until  the  grain  germinates  ;  but  when  the 
plant  is  thi-ee  or  four  inches  high,  the  worm  may  be  seen,  by  the  aid  of  a  glass,  feeding 
above  the  top  of  the  joint  in  the  centre  of  the  culm,  until  it  is  ready  to  become  a  perfect 
insect.  It  is  said  that  the  pupa  resembles  that  of  the  C.  destructor. 

As  the  fly  deposits  its  eggs  early  in  June,  it  is  difllcult  to  understand  why  they  should 
remain  unhatched  so  long,  or  until  the  future  germination  of  the  same  ripened  grain  after 
it  is  sown,  and  then  to  feed  upon  the  culm ;  for  it  is  the  usual  habit  of  flies  to  deposit  their 
eggs  near  or  upon  the  magazine  of  food  on  which  the  larvse  are  to  subsist. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  most,  if  not  all  of  the  species  of  Cecidomyia  are  preyed  upon 
by  some  one  or  other  of  the  family  of  Ichneumonides  while  in  the  larva  or  pupa  state. 
These  parasites  deposit  their  eggs  within  the  body  of  their  victim,  where  they  are  hatched 
in  due  time,  and  the  larvae  subsist  upon  and  destroy  the  body  before  its  change  into  the 

*  American  Journal  of  Agriculture  and  Science,  Vol.  vi,  p.  193.  t  Idem,  Vol.  1,  p.  263. 


180  ORDER    DIPTERA. 

imago  state.  In  this  way  the  increase  of  several  species  of  destructive  flies  is  kept  in  check, 
and  their  excessive  multiplication  prevented.  No  doubt,  also,  unfavorable  seasons  operate 
as  a  still  greater  means  for  preserving  a  balance  between  excessive  multiplication  and 
entire  extirpation. 

Dr.  Eights,  of  Albany,  has  furnished  me  with  the  following  communication  respecting 
the  platygaster,  a  minute  ichneumon  fly.  His  remarks,  and  the  facts  stated,  illustrate  in  a 
striking  manner  one  of  the  most  important  features  in  the  insect  world,  the  checks  which 
are  interposed  to  the  excessive  multiplication  of  the  injurious  kinds. 

Platygasteh  tipul^e  (  Kirby).     Wheat-midge  Parasite. 

This  insect,  though  exceedingly  small  in  size,  has  claims  to  our  consideration,  which 
should  justly  entitle  it  to  an  exalted  station  in  the  rank  of  public  benefactors  ;  for  it  has 
had  assigned  to  it  the  peculiar  and  important  duty  of  keeping  in  proper  subjection  that 
unrivalled  pest  of  our  fields,  the  wheat  midge  [Cecidomyia  trifici). 

The  female  fly  of  this  parasite  bears  some  considerable  resemblance  to  the  winged  ant, 
and  may  frequently  be  seen  in  our  neighborhood  during  the  months  of  July,  August  and 
September,  in  the  greatest  profusion,  when  onr  pernicious  devastator  is  most  numerous  ; 
flying  about  the  grasses,  or  running  over  the  grains  of  wheat  in  search  of  the  midge  larva, 
for  the  purpose  of  depositing  in  each  a  single  egg,  and  by  this  means  preventing  an  im- 
mense number  of  them  from  developing  themselves  into  a  perfect  state  ;  although  when 
seen  thus  abundantly,  they  have  often  been  unjustly  accused  of  being  themselves  the 
authors  of  the  mischief. 

This  insect  expands  to  only  one  line  and  a  half  in  breadth.  The 
female  is  of  a  shining  pitch  black  color,  with  long,  ten-jointed, 
flail-shaped  antennae  or  horns,  slightly  clubbed  at  the  ends.  The 
head  is  round  or  globose,  with  the  eyes  conspicuously  placed  on 
the  sides.  The  trunk  is  oval,  and  bears  a  scntel  terminated  by  a 
strong  rusty  spine.  The  body  or  abdomen  is  obovate,  small,  and 
narrowed  at  the  base,  with  a  long  curved  oviduct,  concealed,  when 
unemployed, in  the  abdomen.  It  has  four  transparent  wings  without  nervures,  the  superior 
pair  very  large  ;  and  the  legs  are  strong,  and  of  a  bright  ochreons  color,  with  the  thighs 
and  shanks  clubbed  :  the  feet  are  long,  slender,  and  five-jointed. 

We  regret  that  some  means  have  not  yet  been  discovered  to  multiply  this  interesting 
little  insect,  and  thus  eflectually  preserve  our  wheatfields  from  the  fearful  depredations 
of  the  midge.  James  Eights. 


FAMILY    MUSCID^.  181 


Muscidae. 

The  cliaracter  of  the  mouth  and  its  organs  restricts  and  defines  this  natural  family  :  it  is 
formed  by  a  distinct  proboscis,  which  is  thick  and  membranous,  retractile,  and  terminated 
by  lateral  lobes;  and  it  encloses  two  setiform  organs  and  a  pair  of  palpi.  The  antennae 
have  but  three  joints,  the  third  of  which  is  the  largest,  and  is  prolonged  into  a  seta  or 
long  slender  bristle,  sometimes  articulated  with  its  base.  The  nervures  of  the  wings  are 
few,  and  extend  to  the  margin. 

The  true  flies  feed  upon  both  vegetable  and  animal  substances.  The  common  housefly  is 
typical  of  the  family,  and  its  habits  in  some  respects  are  very  well  known.  They  are  all 
small  :  their  larvae  are  white,  soft,  and  without  feet,  and  are  usually  called  maggots. 
Meigen,  it  is  said,  has  described  1700  European  species ;  from  which  we  may  infer  that  it 
is  a  large  family. 

Sarcophaga  georcina. 
Color  grayish,  hairy  ;  eyes  copper-colored ;  face  silvery  white  ;  thorax  striped  with  gray 
and  black  ;  abdomen  lustrous,  and  checked  with  white  and  black  ;  legs  black.  It  is 
common  during  most  of  the  summer.     Length  about  half  an  inch. 

MUSCA    VOMITORIA  1 

Body  thick,  steel-blue,  especially  the  abdomen,  hairy  and  mixed  with  bristles  :  antennse 
pilose  ;  thorax  bluish  black;  legs  black.     Length  about  half  an  inch. 

Genus  LEPTIDA. 

Leptis  .  (  Plate  xxix,  lig- 1.) 

Eyes  brownish  :  antennse  four-jointed,  small,  porrect,  approximate,  standing  a  little  below 
the  crown,  the  last  setiform  pubescent ;  thorax  semiglobose,  striped,  hairy ;  wings 
diverging ;  anal  areolet  open  ;  abdomen  with  seven  rings,  tapering,  and  marked  with 
clay-colored  rings,  somewhat  silvery.  Metallic  points  are  scattered  upon  the  sides  of 
the  thorax. 

Leptis"?  .  (  Plate  xxix,  fig.  4.) 

The  eyes  are  brown,  and  larger  than  in  the  foregoing  species  :  rings  of  the  abdomen 
seven  :  top  of  the  thorax  less  prominent. 

Leptis  .  (  Plate  xxix,  fig.  10.) 

Color  brown  :  thorax  bordered  with  an  ochreous  line ;  abdomen  tapering  and  pointed,  the 
three  last  rings  being  attenuate,  and  all  of  them  bordered  with  yellowish 


182  ORDKR  DIPTERA. 

Neither  of  the  foregoing  species  are  figured  or  described  in  Say's  American  Entomology, 
but  there  is  very  little  doubt  that  they  belong  to  the  Genus  Leptida.  The  flies  are  found 
in  thickets  in  the  summer  :  they  feed  on  other  small  insects,  and  their  larvffi  live  in  offal 
or  on  decaying  wood.  . 


Tabauidae. 

Tabanus  plumbeus  ( LinniBus).     Gad-fly.     Horsefly. 
Tabanus  plumbeus  ( Drury).     T.  ruficornis  (  Fabricius).     T.  limbatus  (  Pal.  de  Beauvois). 
'  Head  ash-colored  ;  eyes  black  ;  antennae  reddish  brown  ;  ocellus  one  ;  thorax  greenish, 
'  with  a  white  spot  at  the  base  of  each  wing ;  abdomen  dark  brown,  each  segment  of 
'  which  on  the  underside  is  margined  with  gray ;  wings  transparent,  anterior  edges 
'  brown  and  opake  ;  legs  dark  brown,  the  middle  ones  being  armed  with  tw'o  spines 
'  at  the  tip  of  each  tibia  :  the  ungues  have  two  small  brown  scales  under  them. 
'  Breast  hairy  ;  back  colored,  but  white  on  the  sides '  (  Westwood,  Illustrations  of 
Drury,  Vol.  1,  p.  97). 
This  species  appears  in  New-York  in  July,  and  is  most  common  in  woody  places,  but  is 
often  in  open  pastures,  and  frequents  roadsides,  alighting  on  horses  and  cattle.  In  New- 
York  and  New-England  they  are  too  few  in  number  to  occasion  much  trouble,  though 
their  probosces  are  armed  with  lancets  suflBiciently  long  and  sharp  to  wound  cattle  severe- 
ly. Were  they  as  numerous  as  the  smaller  kinds  of  flies,  our  pastures  could  not  be  occupied 
during  the  months  of  July  and  August. 

Tabanus  americanus  ( Drury). 

Tabanus  atratus  (  Fabricius).     T.  Niger  (  Pal.  de  Beauvois). 
Head,  antennje,  sheath  of  the  proboscis,  extremity  of  the  abdomen,  breast  and  legs  black  ; 
thorax  brownish  black  ;  wings  dark  brownish,  scarcely  opake  ;  anterior  part  of  the 
abdomen  dark  plumbeous  ;  spines  of  the  middle  legs  two  ;  breast  hairy. 
The  lighter  part  of  the  abdomen  appears  as  if  covered  with  a  whitish  bloom.  The  eyes 
are  very  large,  and  meet  at  their  lower  edges,  but  are  separated  above  by  a  narrow  yel- 
lowish space  :  their  color  is  black  and  bronzed.    Length  seven-eighths  of  an  inch,  or 
nearly  one  inch  ;  expansion  of  wings,  nearly  two  inches. 

This  species  is  rather  smaller  than  the  phimbcus,  with  wings  less  robust  and  strong  :  it 
appears  at  the  same  time,  and  attacks  cattle  and  horses  in  the  same  savage  way.  Both  are 
found  as  far  south  as  Maryland. 


FAMILIES   XYLOPHAGID^   AND   SYRPHID^.  183 

Tabanus  . 

Sooty  black.  In  some  lights,  the  abdomen  above  is  glaucous ;  beneath,  it  has  a  shade  of 
greenish  blue  :  eyes  faintly  bronzed.  Face  obsolete,  in  consequence  of  the  great  ex- 
tension of  the  eyes,  which  meet  on  the  top,  divaricating  only  just  above  the  base  of 
the  antenna?,  leaving  a  small  triangular  area  through  which  the  median  line  passes, 
and  which  is  also  traversed  transversely  by  two  grooves  :  this  area  is  occupied  by  six 
or  eight  little  glossy  eminences.  Legs  and  breast  covered  with  a  jet  black  pubescence. 
The  form  of  the  eye  is  remarkable  ;  the  top  of  the  head  being  capped,  as  it  were,  with 

the  organ,  which  projects  directly  in  front.  The  insect  diifers  entirely  from  the  two  pre-. 

ceding  species,  and  has  not  probably  received  a  specific  name. 


Xylopliagidae. 

Midas  filatus.  (  piafe  xxviii,  fig.  11.) 

MuscA  CLAVATUs  ( Drurj). 
Black  :  second  abdominal  segment  yellow  upon  the  superior  parts  ;  wings  copper-brown 
and  submetallic,  scarcely  transparent.  Length  1^  inch  ;  expansion  of  wings,  2^. 
This  species,  so  far  as  my  observations  extend,  is  a  rare  insect  in  New- York.  It  is  easily 
distinguished  by  the  yellow  segment  of  the  abdomen  referred  to,  which  extends  only  to 
the  sides,  the  inferior  part  preserving  the  black  color  of  the  remainder  of  the  organs.  Its 
larva  is  a  white  maggot,  and  exists  in  decaying  stumps  and  logs.  It  is  usually  found  in  the 
forests  in  its  perfect  state  in  midsummer,  and  is  one  of  the  largest  dipterous  insects  of 
New- York. 


SyrpMclae. 

MiLEsiA  viRGiNiENsis.  (  Plate  xxviii,  fig.  3.) 

Musca  VIRGINIENSIS  (  Drurj).  Milesia  ornata  (  Fabricius). 
Eyes  black ;  front  of  the  head  cream-color ;  antennte  like  short  hairs ;  thorax  yellow 
with  two  black  rings  ;  abdomen  black,  ornamented  with  yellow  rings,  every  alternate 
one  of  which  is  interrupted  in  the  middle  :  it  is  marked  with  a  yellow  dot  at  the 
base,  and  terminated  with  yellow.  Legs  yellow ;  wings  dusky.  Underside,  breast  black, 
with  yellow  spots  :  ocelli  distinct. 
It  is  rather  more  than  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long;  expansion  of  wings,  1|. 


CMAPTEH  XVIIl. 


ORDER  VIII.    NEUROPTERA. 


The  wings,  in  this  order  of  insects,  are  made  ui?  of  a  fine  network,  membranous,  and 
usually  naked  and  without  down  or  scales  :  they  are  subequal  or  equal.  Sometimes  the 
lower  wings  are  broader  than  the  upper  ;  but,  if  narrower,  they  are  longer.  The  mouth  is 
fitted  in  some  families  for  mastication,  particularly  in  the  libellulidte,  which  are  furnished 
with  transversely  movable  jaws.  The  abdomen  is  usually  long,  but  is  destitute  of  a  sting. 
The  antenna}  are  not  uniform  in  the  different  families  :  in  some  they  ate  long ;  in  others, 
short.  They  have  two  or  three  simple  e)'es.  The  trunk  is  fornred  of  three  segments  closely 
united  :  the  abdomen  is  sessile.  The  larva  has  six  feet.  The  metamorphosis  is  not  always 
complete. 

The  order  contains  several  well-known  families,  as  the  dragonflies,  mayflies,  white  ants, 
and  the  ant-lion  flies.  In  all  these  families,  as  well  as  in  those  not  yet  mentioned,  the  wings 
are  formed  of  a  fine  network  of  nervures,  so  arranged  in  the  minute  details  of  structure 
as  to  constitute  a  great  number  of  areolets  of  much  beauty. 

lu  this  order  there  is  one  family,  the  termitides,  which  are  extremely  interesting  in  their 
economy  and  habits,  as  well  as  an  instance  of  a  remarkable  development  of  the  faculty  of 
instinct  :  they  are  social,  and  live  in  large  communities  ;  while  most  of  the  other  families 
are  solitary,  and  do  not  construct  habitations  for  the  common  convenience  and  defence. 


Libellnlidae. 

LiBELLULiD^  is  tlic  family  name  of  the  dragonflies  :  they  are  insects  which  become  familiar 
to  every  body,  and  are  frequently  called  darningneedks  or  deviPs-necdles.  Their  heads  and 
eyes,  especially  the  latter,  are  always  large  :  their  bodies  are  long ;  the  thorax  is  thick 
and  strong,  and  the  abdomen  long  and  rather  slender,  though  not  always  so,  and  is  ter- 
minated by  two  inarticulated  appendages.  The  antennas  are' short.  They  have  three  ocelli : 
two  lateral  ones,  and  one  seated  in  the  median  line.  The  mouth  is  well  formed,  and  the 
mandibles  are  strong  and  horny.  They  have  four  wings,  which,  when  at  rest,  are  extended 
horizontally  or  carried  over  the  abdomen. 


FAMILIES   LIBELLULID^   AND   MYRMELEONIDvE.  185 

The  libellulse  are  widely  extended  in  their  distribution  :  they  are  voracious  in  their 
habits,  of  strong  muscular  powers,  and  able  to  remain  long  upon  the  wing.  Their  larvae 
are  quite  as  voracious  as  the  perfect  insect.  The  female  deposits  her  eggs  on  the  water, 
while  upon  the  wing.  They  may  be  regarded  as  serviceable  to  man,  especially  in  their 
perfect  state,  by  feeding  upon  insects  that  are  annoying,  as  musquitoes  and  the  like. 

The  family  has  been  subdivided  into  three  genera  by  Fabricius  :  1.  Lieellula  proper, 
with  wings  horizontal  when  at  rest,  eyes  large  and  approximate,  and  having  also  the  three 
ocelli ;  the  middle  division  of  the  lip  is  the  smallest,  and  the  abdomen  is  ensiform.  The 
second  genus  is  .3Ishna,  having  two  ocelli  situated  on  a  transverse  keel-formed  elevation  ; 
the  intermediate  lobe  of  the  labium  larger  than  the  lateral,  and  armed  with  a  strong  tooth 
and  a  spinous  appendage  ;  abdomen  narrow  and  elongated.  The  third  genus  is  Ageion  : 
it  carries  its  wings  perpendicularly  when  at  rest ;  the  middle  lobe  cf  the  labium  divided 
in  two  ;  the  antennte  with  four  articulations  :  there  is  no  vesicle  upon  the  forehead  ;  the 
ocelli  are  equal,  and  the  abdomen  filiform. 

LiBELLULA  PULCHELLA.  (  Plate  XV,  fig.  5.) 

Color  black.  Abdomen  sometimes  wholly  black  both  above  and  below,  and  sometimes 
light  slate  above  and  black  below,  or  partly  slate  color  :  individuals  seem  to  vary  in 
this  respect  without  regard  to  sex.  Wings  marked  by  three  black  or  dark  brown  spots 
or  bars  :  the  basal  is  confined  to  the  costa,and  does  not  extend  to  the  posterior  edge ; 
the  external  covers  the  apical  area,  and  sweeps  around  so  as  to  form  a  circular  curving 
edge  towards  the  base. 
Fig.  4  is  closely  allied  in  its  habits  and  appearance  to  the  pulchella^  and  its  abdomen 
presents  in  different  individuals  the  same  varieties  of  color. 
Fig./.  Larva  of  the  Lihdlula. 

llyrmeleonidae. 

(  Plate  xxxii  ,  figs.  4,  5,  6,  7.) 
A  FAMILY  of  insects  familiarly  known  under  the  name  of  ant-lions,  while  in  the  larva 
state.  The  insect  has  always  arrested  the  attention  of  the  curious,  from  its  peculiar  habits 
the  singular  form  of  its  larva,  and  the  ingenuity  it  displays  in  making  traps  or  pitfalls 
to  catch  the  prey  that  must  serve  for  its  sustenance.  In  its  perfect  state,  it  resembles  a 
LiBELLULA ;  but  whcu  it  is  in  its  larval  form,  we  would  by  no  means  suspeet  (hat  it 
belongs  to,  or  is  the  embryo  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  insect  tribes.  There  is 
always,  however,  a  wide  diffenence  between  insects  in  these  two  states. 

In  the  family  of  the  Libellulidje,  the  larva  is  aquatic,  and  is  provided  with  the  ne- 
cessary form  of  mouth  and  mandible  to  seize  and  devour  other  insects  :  it  is  in  fact  a 
voracious  animal,  and  carries  on  its  depredations  in  the  water ;  while  in  the  Mykmeleo- 
[  Agkicultubal  Keport  —  Vol.  v.]  24 


J86  ORDER   NEUROPTEfiA. 

KiD^,  the  Iarv£e  are  terrestrial,  and  the  parent  insects  select  for  their  habitations  the  places 
farthest  removed  from  water,  the  driest  sand  being  the  only  material  suited  to  their  habits 
and  mode  of  life,  or  adapted  to  their  essential  wants- 

The  ant-lion,  which  is  the  common  name  of  the  insect  about  to  be  described,  is  a  spider- 
looking  animal,  having  a  thick,  short,  and  full  abdomen,  and  narrow  and  elongated  front, 
which  is  terminated  by  two  long  or  exsert  mandibles,  strongly  toothed  upon  their  inside 
edges,  and  also  perforated,  so  that  the  insect  may  suck  the  juices  from  its  victims  (  See 
Plate  xxxii  ,  fig.  2  :  larva).  The  mandibles  have  three  teeth  each,  and  a  row  of  stiff 
bristles  below  them,  probably  used  partly  for  supporting  their  prey,  when  engaged  in  the 
act  of  suction.  The  mandibles  are  curved,  and  as  sharp  as  a  needle  ;  and  in  this  respect  are 
well  adapted  to  the  office  they  are  designed  to  fulfil,  the  piercing  or  transfixing  the  ant, 
which  seems  to  constitute  their  favorite  food.  The  three  teeth  are  slender,  and  but  slightly 
thickened  at  the  point  of  junction  with  the  jaw.  The  body  is  clothed  with  a  few  bristle- 
like hairs,  but  in  other  respects  it  may  be  said  to  be  naked.  But  what  is  quite  peculiar  and 
interesting  in  the  construction  and  habits  of  our  species  of  ant-lion,  is  the  position  and 
structure  of  its  legs  ;  they  only  permit  it  to  move  with  its  abdomen  in  front,  or,  in  other 
words,  it  is  obliged  to  walk  backwards. 

To  obtain  a  supply  of  food,  the  larva  forms  a  conical  depression  in  dry  sand  under  a 
shelving  rock,  where  the  surface  will  remain  undisturbed ;  the  depression  being  over  half 
an  inch  in  depth.  At  the  bottom,  the  owner  places  itself  concealed  in  the  sand,  with  only 
its  mandibles  standing  a  little  above  the  apex  of  the  depression.  Now  as  sheltered  places  of 
this  kind,  which  the  ant-lion  selects,  are  also  excellent  highways  for  all  small  animals  to 
travel,  and  especially  siuted  to  the  habits  of  the  ant,  if  the  ant  is  not  cautious  in  his  pas- 
sage through  these  dry  and  shelving  grounds,  it  will  probably  fall  into  some  one  of  these 
sand-traps  :  this  happening,  there  is  little  chance  of  its  escaping  from  the  jaws  of  the  lion, 
which  are  always  open  and  ready  to  seize  the  unfortunate  traveller.  If,  however,  the  ant 
does  at  first  escape  the  clutches  of  the  lion,  and  attempts  to  clamber  up  the  side  of  the 
pit,  it  is  sure  to  be  overwhelmed  with  a  shower  of  sand  cast  up  by  its  cunning  foe,  and 
most  certainly  precipitated  again  to  the  bottom. 

Notwitstanding  this  lion  is  furnished  with  strong  mandibles,  they  are  not  for  the  purpose 
of  chewing  or  biting  its  food,  but  are  so  constructed  as  to  hold  its  prey  securely,  and  to 
extract  its  fluids  by  suction.  When  this  is  finished,  the  lion  tosses  the  empty  skin  from  its 
pitfall,  by  means  of  its  long  mandibles  and  the  free  and  extended  motion  of  the  head  in 
its  thorax. 

Like  other  larvse,  the  larva  of  the  ant-lion  changes  its  skin.  "When  about  to  undergo  its 
transformation,  it  glues  together  a  portion  of  sand  by  milling  it  with  a  kind  of  mucilagi- 
nous and  fibrous  or  silky  secretion,  which  it  forms  into  a  perfectly  round  ball  having  a 
sufficient  consistency  to  bear  handling  freely.  At  the  time  of  the  final  change,  which 
occurs  about  twenty  days  after  the  ball  is  rolled,  the  pupa  pierces  a  round  hole  in  the  side 


•a 


FAMILY   EPHEMERID^.  187 

of  its  globular  envelope,  and  comes  forth,  casting  off  its  pupa  skin,  which  is  left  partly 
adhering  to  the  orific«  as  represented  in  lig.  4. 

The  myrmelion  is  a  four-winged  insect,  at  first  view  resembling  a  libellula  ;  but  it  will 
be  perceived  that  its  antennae  are  peculiar,  and  quite  different  from  those  of  that  family  ; 
they  are  larger  at  the  extremity  than  at  the  base,  generally  curved,  and  sometimes  apjiear 
like  a  hook.  The  eyes  are  wide  apart,  and  do  not  touch  upon  the  upper  and  posterior  parts. 
The  wings  are  extremely  delicate,  like  the  finest  gauze  ;  and  the  abdomen  is  rather  slen- 
der, and  tapei-s  each  way.  The  color  of  the  insect  is  brown.  The  wings  are  transpareut,and 
all  the  nervures  are  spotted  with  brown  and  white.  The  rings  of  the  abdomen  are  brownish, 
but  much  the  darkest  on  their  posterior  half  :  the  abdomen  is  also  clothed  with  short 
hairs.  The  wings  are  attached  to  the  thorax  at  a  distance  apart,  and  the  thorax  is  divided 
into  tAvo  parts,  the  fii-st  supporting  the  forewings,  the  last  the  hindwings  :  the  first  has 
rounded  eminences,  separated  by  oblique  fissures  ;  the  last  has  properly  only  two,  which 
are  separated  by  oblique  ridges,  that  begin  at  the  sides  and  nearly  meet  in  the  middle. 
The  abdomen  has  five  rings.  The  feet  are  black.  Length  of  the  larva,  about  J  an  inch  : 
length  of  the  perfect  insect,  1^  inch  ;  expanse  of  wing,  2J  inches. 

The  species  above  described  and  figured  were  furnished  me  by  Mr.  J.  Gebhard,  Curator 
of  the  State  Museum,  and  were  procured  under  the  limestone  ledges  at  Schoharie.  I  have 
also  found  the  larva  of  the  ant-lion  beneath  the  limestone  ledges  near  Burlington  (  Ver- 
mont) :  almost  every  suitable  place  furnished  specimens  of  the  insect. 

I  am  unable  to  determine  whether  this  American  species  has  been  described  or  not. 


Epliemeridae. 


Mayfly  is  the  common  name  for  the  insects  of  this  family.  If  not  characterized  by  the 
shortness  of  their  lives,  it  is  a  well-known  feature  in  their  economy  :  they  live  but  three 
or  four  hours  in  their  perfect  state ;  hence  the  modifications  of  their  mouth  are  quite  dif- 
ferent from  those  of  the  libellulidre,  which  have  a  much  more  prolonged  existence,  and 
are  therefore  provided  with  ample  means  for  taking  sustenance.  Their  antennae  are  minute 
and  three-jointed,  and  their  four  wings  are  of  an  unequal  size.  The  mouth  is  nearly  obso- 
lete or  wanting,  and  the  extremity  of  the  body  is  fm-nished  with  articulated  setse.  Their 
bodies  are  rather  long,  slender,  and  soft ;  the  eyes  rather  large,  and  there  are  also  three 
ocelli  placed  in  a  triangle  between  the  eyes.  In  some  species  the  clypeus  shuts  over  the 
mouth. 

The  name  of  this  family  is  derived  from  the  greek  ephemeras,  diurnal,  in  allusion  to  the 
shortness  of  their  lives.  The  only  function  they  perform  is  to  couple  and  deposit  their  eggs 
in  the  water.  Their  larvse  live  in  the  water,  and  their  existence  in  this  state  is  prolonged 
for  two  or  three  years.  They  take  refuge  under  stones,  or  in  the  earth  or  mud.  They  feed 
upon  the  slimy  mud  that  contains  decomposing  particles  of  organic  matter,  and  which 
suffices  for  their  nourishment. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


ORDER  IX.    TRICHOPTERA(KmBY). 

The  English  have  given  the  name  caddiceflies  to  the  insects  of  this  order.  The  consistence 
of  the  body  of  the  perfect  insect  is  considerable,  and  besides  they  are  thickly  clothed  with 
hair.  Their  eyes  are  rather  prominent  and  large,  and  they  are  provided  with  three  ocelli. 
Their  antenna  are  variable  in  length,  being  sometimes  much  longer  than  the  body  ;  at 
others,  shorter.  They  have  four  membranous  wings  ;  the  front  ones  are  fibrous,  and  the 
nerves  are  branching  :  the  posterior  wings  are  the  largest,  and  folded  when  at  rest.  The 
mouth  is  imperfect  and  unfitted  for  mastication,  the  mandibles  being  only  rudlmental. 
The  maxillary  palpi  are  long,  and  almost  setaceous.  The  larva  has  six  legs  :  it  resides  in 
a  case  in  water,  which  it  forms  of  little  fragments  of  shells,  or  of  sand  or  sawdust.  The 
mature  insect  is  often  employed  as  a  fish-bait. 

Phryganea  semifasciata  (Say).  (Plate  xxxii,  figs.  9  &  10.) 

Color  brownish  or  ferruginous.  Wings  ferruginous,  marked  with  irregular  black  lines  and 
a  distinct  point  near  the  inner  and  basal  angle  :  inferior  wings  light  ferruginous  o? 
yellowish  ;  the  hindwings  have  a  dilated  mark  near  the  inner  margin. 


CHAPTER    XX. 


ORDER  X.     HYMENOPTERA  (LiNN^us). 

This  order  resembles  the  Neuroptera  in  the  number,  texture,  and  organization  of  the 
wings  ;  but  they  have  a  fewer  number  of  nervures,and  are  less  delicate  in  their  construc- 
tion :  the  forewings,  too,  are  larger  than  the  hind  ones,  and  their  foldings  are  horizontally 
disposed  upon  the  back.  The  mouth  is  provided  with  horny  jaws,  and  the  maxillse  are 
metamorphosed  into  a  sheath  for  the  membranous  tongue.  The  eyes  are  large.  The  thorax 
is  composed  of  three  consolidated  segments,  and  the  abdomen  is  attached  to  it  by  a  pedicle 
or  thread,  provided  with  a  sting  in  the  females,  or  terminated  with  a  multivalved  saw  or 
ovipositor.  The  tarsi  are  five-jointed.  The  larva  is  without  feet,  except  in  one  group ;  and 
the  pupa  is  inactive  and  incomplete. 

This  order  probably  furnishes  the  most  remarkable  families  for  the  development  of 
social  qualities  and  instinctive  powers ;  and  if  instinctive  endowments  have  claims  for 
consideration,  the  hymenoptera  should  rank  first  and  foremost  among  the  insect  tribes. 
Some  of  these  remarkable  qualities  appear  in  the  bee,  the  ichneumon,  the  wasp,  and  the 
galllJy. 

This  is  the  most  populous  of  all  the  orders  in  the  insect  world,  unless  we  except  the 
CoLEopTERA  ;  its  estimated  numbers  embracing  one-fourth  of  the  insect  population. 

Mr.  Westwood  adopts  the  following  divisions  for  this  order  : 

Section  I.  Terebrantia  (  Latreille)  :  the  abdomen  of  the  female  being  furnished  with  an 
ovipositor,  which  combines  the  characters  of  a  saw  and  a  perforator  or  borer  for 
depositing  its  eggs. 

Section  II.  Aculeata  (Latreille),  embraces  those  whose  abdomens  in  the  females  are 
provided  with  a  sting  connected  with  a  poison  reservoir.  The  antennse  of  the  males 
have  thirteen,  and  those  of  the  females  twelve  joints. 


190  ORDER   HYMENOPTERA. 

The  first  section  has  two  subsections,  the  second  containing  two  divisions  : 

Subsection  I.  Phttiphaga  :  Abdomen  sessile  :  larvae  feeding  upon  vegetable  matter.  This  contains 

the  families  Tenthrediniim  and  Urocerida. 
Subsection  II.  Entomophaga  :  Abdomen  attached  by  a  portion  of  its  transverse  diameter  :  larvae 
with  slightly  developed  trophi,  and  for  the  most  part  feed  parasitically  upon  other  living  insects. 
Division  1.  Spiculifera  :  Abdomen  with  an  elongated  plurivalve  oviduct  :  larvae  for  the 
most  part  feeding  upon  other  living  insects.  This  division  contains,  as  at  present  constituted, 
the  Cynipida,  Evaniidae,  Ichneumo7iid(B,  Chalddida  and  ProctotntpidcB. 
Division  2.  Tubtilipera  :  Extremity  of  the  abdomen  tubular,  retractile,  and  furnished  with 
a  minute  sting  :  larvae  feeding  upon  the  larvae  of  other  hymenopterous  insects,  or  upon 
dead  insects  deposited   by  the  parent  with  her  eggs  for  the  support  of  the  young  when 
hatched.  The  Chrysididoe. 

The  second  section  has  two  subsections  : 

Subsection  I.  Pr^dones  ( Latreille)  :  The  basal  joint  of  the  tarsi  cylindrical  :  larvae  feeding  upon 
stored  insects,  or  animal  fluids  provided  by  neuters.  Families  Crahronidce,  Larridcs,  Bembecidce, 
SpkegidcB,  Scoliidce,  Mutillidce,  Formicida,   Vespidce. 

Subsection  II.  Mellifera  (  Latreille)  :  Basal  joint  of  the  posterior  tarsi  dilated  for  pollen-bearers  : 
larvae  feed  upon  honey  or  pollen-paste  deposited  by  the  neuters.  Families  Andreiiida,  Apida. 

Tenthredinidae. 

This  family  comprehends  those  hymenoptera  usually  called  sawflies.  The  antennse  are  more 
variable  as  to  the  number  of  joints,  than  in  most  of  the  insects  of  other  families.  The 
families  of  the  order  are  formed  from  considerations  that  relate  to  the  number  and  form 
of  the  joints  of  the  antennse,  and  the  number  and  form  of  the  cells  of  the  wings. 

The  insects  of  this  family  are  less  active  than  the  wasps  or  ichneumon-flies  :  they  fly 
sluggishly,  and  do  not  appear  anxious  to  escape  when  about  to  be  captured.  The  wings 
fold  horizontally  upon  the  body  when  at  rest.  The  female  is  provided  with  an  instrument 
resembling  a  saw,  or  rather  a  double  saw,  which  is  lodged  in  a  fissure  beneath  the  abdo- 
men, and  covered  by  two  narrow  pieces  that  perform  the  oflice  of  a  scabbard.  The  two 
blades  of  the  saw  are  placed  side  by  side,  and  so  skilfully  articulated  that  when  withdrawn 
from  the  scabbard  they  move  up  and  down.  This  saw,  however,  has  different  forms  in 
different  sawflies  :  it  has,  moreover,  one  advantage  over  the  carpenter's  saw,  which  only 
cuts  in  one  direction,  and  therefore  is  liable  to  pinch  if  it  is  not  well  set,  especially  when 
employed  in  sawing  green  wood  ;  but  the  saw  of  the  fly  has  teeth  upon  the  sides,  so  that 
it  can  move  easily  by  cutting  a  free  groove.  It  might  perhaps  be  called  a  rasp  or  file,  as  its 
teeth  have  the  form  of  the  teeth  of  these  instruments.  "When  in  use,  the  saw  moves  in  a 


FAMILIES   TENTHREDINID^   AND    UROCERIDiE.  191 

grooved  piece  that  serves  as  a  back  to  l:eep  the  instrument  sufficiently  supported  :  the 
edge,  upon  which  the  teeth  are  cut,  is  cii-cular.  The  use  of  this  singular  instrument  is  tp 
prepare  a  place  for  tlie  insect's  eggs  :  slits  are  made  in  the  stems  and  leaves  of  plants,  into 
which  the  eggs  are  dropped.  Some  of  the  species,  after  depositing  their  eggs,  girdle  the 
branch,  which  consequently  dies,  when  it  forms  a  suitable  kind  of  food  for  the  young.  In 
other  instances,  protuberances  are  formed  which  become  highly  charged  with  sap,  in 
consequence  of  which  the  quantity  of  food  is  greatly  increased. 

CiMBEX  uLMi  (Peck),  AMERICANA  ( Lcach).  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  11.) 

The  generic  characters  of  Cimbex  are  : 
Body  obscurely  villose  :  first  joint  of  the  abdomen  strongly  emarginate  above  :  joints  of 
the  antennae  before  the  club,  five  ;  club  two-jointed,  and  soldered  together. 
The  insect  I  have  figured  is  the  Cimbex  of  authors  ;  but  the  antennae  are  properly  only 
three-jointed  before  the  club,  leaving  out  of  the  number  the  basal  support,  which  is  fixed. 
The  first  joint  is  the  longest,  and  is  equal  to  the  second  and  third  together.  If  the  support 
is  a  joint,  then  the  antennae  are  only  four-jointed. 

Description  (female).  Head  black,  shining ;  antennas  luteous;  thorax  black,  margined 
in  front  by  a  circular  brownish  ridge  similar  to  a  collar  :  abdomen  bluish  black  with 
brownish,  marked  upon  the  sides  by  four  ovate  yellowish  white  spots,  and  anteriorly 
there  is  a  whitish  space  between  the  rings  similar  to  a  belt.  The  substance  or  mem- 
brane resembles  fine  parchment  or  paper.  Wings  smoke-brown,  semitransparent  and 
shining ;  thighs  blue-black ;  tibiae  pale  brown,  and  armed  with  blunt  spurs ;  tarsi 
yellowish  or  pale  yellow.  Length  |  of  an  inch  :  expanse  of  wing,  1|  inch. 
The  body  of  this  tenthiedo  or  sawfly  is  thick  and  large.  According  to  Dr.  Harris,  Prof. 
Peck  had  called  this  insect  C.  uhni,  because  it  inhabits  the  elm. 

The  male  is  more  slender,  and  the  spots  are  wanting  on  the  abdomen  :  length  about  one 
inch  ;  breadth,  two  inches.  The  larvae  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  the  elm. 

The  foregoing  species  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  family  of  the  Tenthredinidje.  It  does 
not  appear  to  be  very  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  inasmuch  as  but  few  are  found 
in  our  collections. 

Uroceridae. 

WOOD-WASPS  :  HORNTAILS. 
The  head  of  these  insects  is  large,  convex  before  and  flat  behind  :  antennas  filiform  ;  wings 
long,  and  overlap  each  other  upon  the  back ;  body  long  and  cylindrical ;  rings  of  the 
abdomen  close  and  compact.  Females  are  provided  with  an  ovipositor  in  the  form  of  a 
slender  horn  projecting  from  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen,  or  from  beneath  it,  the  sheath 
of  which  is  attached  to  the  inferior  side  of  the  abdomen  by  a  hinge.  In  the  male  the  horn 
is  short  compared  with  that  of  the  female,  and  is  either  conical  or  triangular. 


192  ORDER   HYMENOPTERA. 

The  sexes  differ  considerably  both  in  markings  and  size.  The  borer  of  the  female  consists 
of  five  pieces  :  the  two  outside  pieces  are  grooved  for  the  reception  and  support  of  the 
inner  pieces,  forming  a  hollow  tube  when  closed  together  ;  the  inner  pieces  are  needles, 
with  which  the  trunks  of  trees  are  pierced  for  the  purpose  of  depositing  the  eggs.  Their 
young  are  grub-like  larvse  which  are  wood-eaters,  and  destroy  forest  trees  by  extensive 
burrowing  in  the  green  solid  matter.  Pines,  elms,  maples,  buttonwood  and  fruit  trees  are 
all  subject  to  attacks  of  the  uroceridse. 

Urocerus  albicornis  (Fabricius).  (Plate  xxxii,  fig.  3.) 

Female  :  Color  deep  blue-black  :  stemmata  three,  situated  behind  the  antennae  in  a 

triangular  form  ;  head  confluently  punctured  ;  antennae  rather  long,  white,  the  base 

and  extremity  dark  brown  or  black.  Behind  the  eyes  there  are  two  oval  cream-colored. 

spots.  Thorax  pubescent,  punctured,  and  deeply  impressed  with  a  fissure  running  in  a 

circular  manner  from  the  base  of  one  forewing  to  the  other,  and  also  extending  down 

the  base  of  the  wings,   leaving  an  elevation  w'ith  its  point  directed   backwards. 

Abdomen  cylindrical,  smooth,  shining,  marked   by  a  lateral  oval  white  spot,  and 

terminated  by  a  lanceform  appendage.  Legs  black,  with  white  joints.     Length  one 

inch  :  ovipositor,  nearly  three-fourths  of  an  inch;  expanse  of  wing,  nearly  2  inches. 

This  insect  resembles  the  female  sirex,  but  may  be  distinguished  at  once  by  its  white 

markings. 

Tremex  columba.  (Plate  xxxii,  figs.  1,  2.) 

Tremex  ( Jurine).  Sirex  (Linnaeus,  Drury).  S.  cinctus  {  Drm-y).  S.  pennstlvanicus  (Degeer). 

Pigeon  Tremex  (  Harris). 
Head  and  thorax  yellowish  brown,  thick  :  antennae  of  the  length  of  the  thorax,  and  made 
up  of  sixteen  joints  :  abdomen  bluish  black,  cylindric,  ornamented  by  six  rings,  the 
last  interrupted  at  the  median  line  of  the  body ;  extremity  yellow  :  ovipositor  short 
and  stout  :  wings  opake  brown  and  clouded  :  legs  and  feet  yellowish ;  tibia  armed 
with  a  spur. 
This  insect  is  common  in  Albany  county.  In  company  with  the  Pimpla  lunator,  multi- 
tudes resorted  to  a  half-grown  maple  tree  in  the  back  yard  of  the  Old  State  Hall  for  the 
purpose  of  depositing  their  eggs.  So  completely  was  this  tree  riddled  with  holes  when  the 
insects  escaped  after  transformation,  that  it  died  in  a  few  years,  when  it  was  found  to  be 
perfectly  mined  through  and  through. 

I  have  taken  this  species  also  in  Maryland,  so  that  it  appears  to  be  widely  distributed. 
The  ovipositor  is  nearly  half  an  inch  in  length  ;  the  body,  an  inch  and  a  half;  the  male 
less,  but  it  frequently  happens  that  the  female  is  small  also  :  expansion  of  wings,  two  and 
a  quarter  inches.  Their  wants  are  not  confined  to  the  maple  tree  :  they  bore  or  pierce  the 
elm  and  buttonwood,  which  are  thus  killed  in  process  of  time.  When  a  tree  is  resorted  to 
for  the  deposition  of  their  eggs,  it  furnishes  the  larvae  during  every  season  of  the  year. 


FAMILY   ICHNEUMONIU^,  193 


Ichneumonidae. 

The  characfejrs  of  this  family,  as  given  by  Westwood,  are  :  The  alKlonitm  is  attaclird  to 
the  hinder  extremity  of  the  thorax,  and  between  the  base  of  the  coxae.  The  anterior  pair 
of  wings  exhibit  i)erfect  cells  upon  their  disc.  The  ovipositor  is  straight,  and  often  exserted. 
Antennae  setaceous  or  filiform,  not  elbowed,  and  composed  of  more  than  sixteen  joints, 
except  in  a  few  minute  adsciti.  The  pupa  is  enclosed  in  a  cocoon.  The  head  is  small  and 
free  :  eyes  lateral ;  mandibles  slender  and  bidentate  ;  maxillary  palpi  five-  or  six -jointed, 
pendulous  :  wings  moderate  in  length  and  size  :  legs  formed  for  running.  When  the 
ovipositor  is  retracted,  the  abdomen  terminates  in  a  point. 

The  larvse  are  parasitic  upon  other  insects. 

Plate  I.  illustrates  some  of  the  characters  of  the  family. 

The  antenuEe  are  in  constant  vibratory  motion.  The  insects  themselves  are  exceedingly 
active,  and  exhibit  a  remarkable  degree  of  instinct  in  depositing  their  eggs  where  their 
progeny  will  be  provided  for.  They  are  very  important  in  the  economy  of  natiu-e,  especial- 
ly in  keeping  in  check  other  species  which  would  be  highly  injurious  to  man.  They  are 
particularly  useful  in  reducing  the  numbers  of  the  lepidoi)tera,  scarcely  a  species  of  which 
are  exempt  from  the  attacks  of  ichneumon-flies.  These  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  back  of 
the  larva,  tluough  a  puncture  so  minute  as  not  to  interrupt  its  growth  and  perfection  : 
the  larva  winds  itself  up  as  usual ;  but  in  its  pupa  state,  the  egg-s  of  the  ichneumon  hatch, 
and  the  progeny  feed  upon  it  :  it  is  consequently  destroyed ;  and  instead  of  the  butterfly, 
there  comes  forth  a  brood  of  ichneumons.  Before  this  subject  was  understood,  the  singular 
fact  here  stated  was  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that  certain  animals  were  susceptible 
of  transformation  into  others. 

The  ichneumons  have  been  divided  into  Ichneumones  genuini  and  adsciti  :  the  forewings 
of  the  former  have  two,  of  the  latter,  one  recm-rent  nerve. 

Ichneumon  brevicinctor?  (Plate  xxvii,  fig.  10.) 

Color  black.  Antenna  with  juints  twenty  and  more  :  yellowish  white  annulus  beginning 

at  about  the  ninth  joint,  and  ending  at  the  seventeenth  from  the  base.  Wings  light 

smoky  brown.  Scutel  pale  yellow  :  a  sharp  well  defined  ridge  extends  from  each 

anterior  angle  of  the  scutel,  to  the  middle  of  the  ridge  surrounding  the  base  of  the 

wing.  Knees  and  tibia  of  the  anterior  feet  rufous. 

This  individual  differs  from  the  brevicinctor  described  by  Say,  in  the  beginning  of  the 

pale  annulus,  which,  in  his  account,  commences  at  the  seventeenth  joint,  and  extends  only 

to  the  twenty-first.  The  cellules  of  tlie  wing  agree  with  his  figure,  and  also  the  opake 

costal  spots. 

[  Ageicdltural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  25 


194  ORDER   HYMENOPTERA. 

Ichneumon  .  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  7.) 

Color  black.  Sciitel  yellowish,  with  a  sharp  ridge  extending  from  the  anterior  angle  to  the 
base  of  the  wing.  Second  and  third  abdoininal  rings  orange,  with  the  posterior  part  of 
the  second  black  upon  the  top  ;  beneath,  the  orange  color  covers  the  entire  rings. 
Face  and  legs  orange ;  the  face  pale.  Antennae  entirely  black.  Wings  transparent,  and 
only  slightly  smoky. 

Ichneumon  .  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  9.) 

Color  black.  Wings  smoky  brown.  Antennae  with  a  white  annulus  beginning  about  the 
sixth  ring  from  the  base. 

PiMPLA  LUNATOR.  (Plate  i,  figs.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6.) 

Antennse  brown,  darker  at  base.  Eyes  black.  Head  brown,  encircled  with  a  ring  of  two 
yellow  bands,  and  one  of  a  pale  brown  :  front  yellow,  with  a  brown  baud  extending 
Irora  one  eye  to  the  other.  Thorax  brown,  marked  upon  the  top  by  a  trident,  or  a 
longitudinal  band  terminating  before  in  three  divaricating  lines.  Laterally  there  are 
two  broad  brown  bands  parallel  with  the  first  :  between  the  wings,  the  middle  band 
divides  and  forms  a  circle,  the  inside  of  which  is  yellow.  Abdomen  compressed,  sabre- 
form  and  narrowed  before.  The  seven  rings  of  the  abdomen  are  marked  by  semilunate 
bauds  at  their  posterior  margin,  and  succeeded  by  a  black  ring  :  the  lateral  parts  of 
the  rings  form  an  acute  arch  in  the  female,  which  enables  her  to  flex  the  abdomen  as 
represented  in  fig.  4.  Abdomen  greatly  dilated  at  its  extremity  in  the  female,  and 
terminated  by  a  greatly  elongated  ovipositor.  Wings  transparent,  and  marked  by  a 
brown  patch.  In  the  male,  the  abdomen  is  slender.  Legs  yellow  and  light  brown. 
The  female  is  sometimes  1  h  inch  long,  with  an  ovipositor  some  three  inches  long. 

Fig.  4  :  Female  in  the  act  of  introducing  its  ovipositor  into  tlie  trxmk  of  a  maple  tree. 

Figs.  1  &  6  :  Males. 

Fig.  5  :  Female  at  rest. 
The  yellow  bands  represented  as  lunate,  are  probably  too  sharply  arched  to  admit  strictly 
of  the  appellation. 

This  insect  formerly  frequented  a  half-grown  maple  in  the  yard  of  the  State  House  in 
this  city.  I  supposed  at  first  that  the  pimpla  was  attracted  to  this  tree,  in  consequence  of 
the  sircx  having  also  made  it  the  place  for  depositing  its  eggs.  The  larvse  of  both  insects 
were  found  in  great  numbers  in  dificrent  stages  of  growth  ;  but  it  did  not  appear  that  the 
larvae  of  the  former  fed  upon  those  of  the  latter,  for  they  were  both  in  many  instances  full 
grown  and  separate.  In  some  cases  the  pimpla  passed  her  ovipositor  very  near  to  a  larva 
of  the  sirex  ;  Init  it  could  not  be  ascertained,  after  a  very  careful  examination,  that  the 
object  of  the  first  was  to  pierce  the  larvte  which  infested  the  tree,  after  the  manner  of 
ichneumon  flies.  Still  the  habits  of  the  family  favor  the  view  that  the  larvae  of  the  pimpla 


FAMILIES   SPHEGIDiE   AND   VESPID^.  195 

feed  upon  the  larvae  of  the  sirex.  The  tree  was  perfectly  riddled  with  holes  and  burrows, 
and  was  undoubtedly  selected  on  account  of  its  sheltered  position.  As  happens  Avith  some 
other  species,  the  females  sometimes  perished  from  inability  to  withdraw  tlicir  ovipositor  ; 
and  this  does  not  seem  at  all  strange,  for  they  frequently  succeeded  in  introducing  it  into 
the  wood  to  the  depth  of  three  inches,  slender  as  it  is. 


Spliegidae. 

The  collar  is  dilated  laterally,  and  extends  to  the  base  of  the  wings.  The  legs  are  long 
the  posterior  being  more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  head  and  thorax.  The  antennae  are  fili- 
form or  siibsetaceous,  long,  and  composed  of  elongated  joints.  The  body  is  long,  and  the 
abdomen  is  attached  by  a  long  peduncle.  Mandibles  elongate,  cui'ved,  narrow,  and  notched 
on  the  outside  at  the  base  :  eyes  entire  :  legs  fossorial. 

These  insects  appear  like  wasps,  except  in  theii-  pedunculated  abdomen  :  they  are 
exceedingly  active,  restless,  and  difficult  to  captui'e. 

Sphex  pennsylvanica.  ( Plate  xxvi,  fig.  9.) 

Color  steel-blue  and   purplish  :  margins  of  the  wings  fading   into  brownish,  scarcely 

observable.   Head  transverse,  short  :  eyes  prominent ;  hindwings  dilated  behind. 

Abdomen  greenish  steel-blue,  oval,  acute,  and  attached  to  the  thorax  by  a  slender 

thread.  Antennse  brownish  :  thorax  and  head  pubescent  :  tarsi  black. 


Vespidae. 


Vespa  fraterna.  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  6.) 

Color  brown.  Surface  without  puncture  and  smooth.  Antenna;  paler  on  the  under  side. 

Wings  smoke-brown,  translucent.  First  ring  of  the  abdomen  marked  with  a  yellow 

ring.  Legs  brown,  except  the  joints,  and  a  short  stripe  of  lustrous  upon  the  upper 

side  of  the  femora  :  tarsi  luteous. 

The  wasp  and  hornet  exhibit  skill  and  patience  in  preparing  their  habitations  :  they 

are  natural  paper-makers,  and  fabricate  an  article  that  is  impervious  to  water. 

The  wasps  form  their  habitation  beneath  stones,  fixing  it  to  the  inferior  surface.  They 
feed  their  young  upon  vegetable  juices,  and  the  softer  parts  of  other  insects  which  they 
capture.  They  are  fond  of  the  juices  of  our  domestic  fruits,  and  seem  to  have  a  preference 
for  the  expressed  juice  of  the  apple,  as  they  are  observed  to  abound  about  cider-mills  and 
in  apple-yards. 


196  ORDER   HTMENOPTERA. 

Evauiidae  1 

Pelecinus  polituratoe..     p.  policcrator  {Tahr.).  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  7.) 

Antennae  black,  long  and  filiform,  marked  with  two  yellow  bands  at  the  extremities  : 

ocelli  distinct.  Head,  eyes,  thorax,  abdomen,  and  legs  black.  Palpi  four,  slender,  two 

long  and  two  short.  Legs  slender,  but  the  hind-tibise  are  thick  and  strong.  Abdomen 

elongated,  consisting  of  six  joints  ;  the  elongated  rings  long  oval.  Wings  pellucid  and 

brown. 

This  singular  insect  is  not  uncommon  in  New-England  and  New-York  in  autumn.  By 

the  roadsides,  in  September  and  October,  it  is  seen  flying  slowly,  as  if  borne  down  by  its 

long  abdomen.  When  caught,  it  attempts  to  sting,  and  is  capable  of  inflicting  a  slight 

wound. 

Ophion  macrurum  (  Fabr.)  ;  Ichneumon  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  5.) 

Head  small,  dark  orange  :  eyes   large,  black,  oblong ;  ocelli  shining  black.   Antennse 
nearly  the  length  of  the  insect,  brown  orange  and  thread-like.  Color  of  all  the  other 
parts  of  the  insect  Ijrown  orange,  except  the  wings,  which  are  transparent.  Ihoiax 
short.  Abdomen  arched,  three  times  as  long  as  the  thorax,  and  attached  to  it  by  a 
very  narrow  or  thread-like  base,  widening  in  depth,  but  compressed  laterally  :  ex- 
tremity obliquely  truncate.  Legs  slender ;  hind  ones  the  longest  :  tips  of  the  fore- 
tibise  single,  the  others  double-spined.     Length  of  body  one  inch. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  our  ichneumon-flies,  and  appears  during  the 
latter  part  of  summer  and  early  in  autumn,  when  it  is  observed  busily  hovering  over 
places  where  there  are  thickets  of  brambles,  solidagos,  asters,  etc.  in  search  of  caterpillars 
or  other  suitable  objects  for  the  deposition  of  its  eggs.  It  is  common  in  Massachusetts  and 
New- York. 

Ophion  mundus.  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  4.) 

Color  black  :  aniennfe,  tibiae  and  tarsi  yellow  :  antenna!  nasus,  anterior  orbits,  and  front 
greenish  yellow  ;  the  antennte  are  black  or  brownish  black  at  base.  Thorax  clothed 
with  hairs.  Abdomen  compressed  :  basal  joint  cylindrical ;  second  joint  as  long  and 
rather  longer  than  the  first.  Forelegs  fulvous  yellow,  except  a  brown  stripe  on  the 
under  side  :  tibiae  of -the  hindlegs  fulvous  yellow,  except  the  tips,  which  are  brown ; 
feet  all  yellow,  except  the  middle,  which  is  brownish  above.  "  Length  one  inch. 

Ophion  glabratus.  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  3.) 

Antennae  shorter  than  the  body.  Color  dull  honey-yellow  :  head  and  orbits  yellow  ;  wings 

hyaline,  transparent,  with  an  oval  longitudinal  glabrous  spot  on  the  large  cubital 

cull  just  beyond  its  middle  ;  eyes  dusky  or  brownish.  Metalhorax  with  a  transverse 

ridge  near  the  articulation  of  the  abdomen.     Length  four-fifths  of  an  inch. 


FAMILY    SCOLIID^.  197 

Ophion  purgatus"?  (Plate  xxvii,  fig.  6.) 

Antennae  nearly  as  long  as  the  body.  Color  honey-yellow,  somewhat  brownish  :  orbits 
yellow  ;  wings  hyaline,  with  two  opake  dots  in  the  first  cubital  cellule. 
This  insect,  though  not  longer  than  the  foregoing,  is  rather  thicker  and  stouter.  Length 
about  four-fifths  of  an  inch. 

XvLocARPA  viRGiNicA.  (Plate  xxvii,  fig.  1.) 

Body  thick,  pubescent  and  hirsute  ;  thorax  globular  ;  abdomen  ovate  ;  eyes  brown  ;  an- 
tennae short,  slightly  thickened  at  the  extremities.  Thorax  and  adjacent  part  of  the 
abdomen  clothed  with  yellow  hair  :  two-thirds  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  abdomen 
black.  Wings  hyaline,  yellowish,  tipped  with  a  dull  ochre-yellow.  Beneath  the  body 
and  legs  hairy,  black  inclining  to  brown. 
This  insect  attacks  the  dry  woodwork  of  porticos,  ceilings,  etc.  and  completely  burrows 
the  inside,  leaving  a  mere  shell  to  support  the  framework.  It  always  makes  its  entrance  on 
the  lower  side  of  the  railing,  whence  its  operations  are  not  readily  detected. 

CcELioxis  ANNULARIS.  (  Plate  xxvii,  fig.  2.) 

Color  black  :  face  yellow  :  antennae  black  :  thorax  black  ;  margins  lighter,  and  the  disc 
black  :  abdomen  black  ;  rings  annulated  with  yellowish  white,  pointed.  Beneath  the 
body  and  legs,  black. 

Scoliidae. 

ScoLiA  FossiLANA.  (Plate  xxvi,  fig.  10.) 

ScOLiA  FOSSILANA  ( Fabrioius).  Sphex  plumipes  (Drury). 
Head  pale  yellow  in  front,  black  on  the  top  and  hairy  :  antennse  black,  shorter  than  the 
thorax  :  neck  hairy,  lemon-colored  :  thorax  black,  and  covered  with  yellow  hairs  : 
wings  dark  brown,  translucent  :  abdomen  lemon-colored  above,  crossed  by  three 
black  lines,  dark  beneath  :  breast  and  arms  black  :  legs  hairy  and  black  ;  hinder 
ones  furnished  with  two  remarkable  long  spines  at  the  tips  of  the  tibiae  :  tarsi  fur- 
nished with  strong  pale  yellow  hairs. 

ScOLIA    OCTOMACULATA. 

Thorax  black  :  scutel  marked  with  a  yellow  line.  Back  of  the  abdomen  dusky  rufous,  and 
marked  with  eight  yellow  spots,  four  on  each  side  of  the  median  line  :  the  middle 
spots  are  oval,  the  first  and  last  linear.'  The  head  is  black  ;  the  anterior  margin  of 
the  clypeus  and  base  of  the  antennae,  dull  rufous  :  thorax  black,  and  feet  rufous. 
The  scolice  are  fond  of  dry  sandy  places,  and  feed  on  the  honey  of  flowers. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


ORDER  XI.     LEPIDOPTERA  (  Linn^us). 


GLOSSATA  (  Fabricius). 

The  insects  that  flit  before  us  in  our  daily  walks,  and  are  known  under  the  common  name 
of  butterflies,  are  representatives  of  this  order,  to  which  also  belong  the  numerous  winged 
visitants  around  our  lamps  during  the  summer  evenings.  Those  which  are  observed  flying 
in  the  daytime,  never  enter  our  windows  by  night ;  and  neither  are  the  moths,  so  common 
at  night,  ever  seen  sporting  by  day,  or  flying  abroad  by  the  light  of  the  sun. 

Our  first  inquiry  is,  In  what  respect  do  the  insects  of  this  order  differ  from  those  already 
described  ?  They  have  four  membranous  wings,  clothed  with  minute  scales  :  their  bodies 
are  soft  and  covered  with  hair,  and  their  mouth  consists  of  a  tubular  filamentous  organ 
designed  for  sucking  the  juices  of  flowers,  and  which,  when  not  in  use,  is  rolled  into  a 
compact  coil ;  and,  lastly,  their  metamorphosis  is  complete.  We  cannot  fail  to  see  how 
widely  they  differ  from  the  Coleoptera  or  Orthoptera  ;  although  could  all  the  species  of 
the  different  orders  be  spread  out  before  us  at  once,  we  should  find  that  they  are  all  con- 
nected by  intermediate  links. 

The  lepidoptera  exist  in  three  states  :  the  caterpillar,  the  pupa,  and  the  imago  or  perfect 
state,  in  the  last  of  which  the  insect  propagates  its  kind.  In  the  first  or  caterpillar  state  it 
grows,  or  increases  in  size  ;  and  it  is  during  this  state  that  it  is  necessitated  to  change  or 
cast  off"  its  outer  integument,  in  order  that  this  process  may  be  perfected.  It  changes  its 
skiu  four  times,  and  it  frequently  happens  also  that  its  colors  and  markings  undergo  a 
succession  of  changes.  Each  insect  is  invariably  furnished  with  sixteen  feet.  The  mandibles 
and  maxillae  do  not  differ  materially  from  those  of  the  insects  of  other  orders.  The  true 
legs  are  borne  by  the  first  three  segments  of  the  body  :  the  other  legs  are  called  false,  or 
sometimes  prop-legs. 

As  it  is  in  this  state  that  the  insect  grows,  it  becomes  necessary  that  it  should  take  a 
large  quantity  of  food,  which  it  mostly  derives  from  the  vegetable  kingdom,  feeding  upon 
roots  and  leaves,  and  sometimes  upon  wood.  When  the  larva  has  acquired  its  proper  size, 
it  ceases  to  eat,  and  proceeds  to  form  for  itself  some  kind  of  case,  impervious  to  water,  and 


FAMILY    PAPILIONID^.  199 

ill  tliis  it  undergoes  a  change.  It  is  then  inactive  and  defenceless,  and  appears  dead  ;  and 
as  if  aware  that  it  is  about  to  assume  a  condition  in  which  it  cannot  protect  itself,  it  seeks 
a  secret  place  where  it  may  be  secure  from  the  attacks  of  foes.  The  transformations  of  the 
lepidoptera  are  of  the  most  complete  kind  :  in  some  other  orders,  the  pupa  is  active  ; 
here  it  is  inactive. 

The  Lepidoptera  are  divided  into  three  great  sections.  The  first  section  contains  the 
Butterflies  proper,  Papiliones  :  their  antennse  are  thread-like,  and  bear  a  knob.  The 
second  contains  the  Sphinges,  or  Hawkmoths  :  their  antennje  are  thick  in  the  middle,  and 
often  hooked  at  the  tip.  The  third  contains  those  familiarly  called  Moths  :  their  antenna 
are  neither  knobbed  at  the  end  nor  thickened  in  the  middle,  but  somewhat  naked,  tapering 
or  bristleform,  or  else  feathered  on  each  side.  The  order  has  also  been  otherwise  divided 
into  two  sections  :  the  Diurnal  lepidoptera,  which  fly  by  day  ;  and  the  JYocturnal,  or  those 
which  fly  only  during  the  night. 


Papilionidae. 

The  distinguishing  characters  of  this  interesting  family  are  taken  from  the  feet,  all  of 
which  are  perfect,  formed  for  walking,  and  furnished  with  simple  or  bifid  claws.  The 
antenna,  which  have  a  distinct  club,  have  no  appendage  as  a  hook  at  its  extremity.  The 
hinder  wings  have  a  slice  cut  out  of  the  inner  margin,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  body, 
or  else  are  grooved  to  receive  it. 

The  larvae  of  this  family  are  naked,  and  the  pupa  is  supported  by  threads  of  silk  passed 
around  the  middle  of  the  body :  they  are  both  angulated  and  smooth  in  the  different  genera. 

The  butterflies  of  this  family  are  among  the  largest  and  most  splendid  of  American 
insects  :  examples  are  the  Papilio  asterias,  philenor  and  tumus.  The  family  is  advanta- 
geously subdivided  into  Papilionides  and  Pierides.  In  the  former,  the  anal  angle  of  the 
posterior  wing  is  concave  or  folded,  and  the  middle  longitudinal  nervure  of  the  forewing 
emits  four  branches,  while  no  other  species  have  more  than  three  ;  and  the  palpi  are  short. 
From  their  size  and  beauty,  Linn^us  gave  them  the  name  Equites. 

The  subfamily  Pierides  have  a  gutter  in  the  inner  margin  of  the  hindAvings,  for  the 
reception  of  the  abdomen.  The  caterpillars  are  finely  pubescent,  and  taper  towards  the 
extremities.  The  pupae  or  chrysalides  are  angular,  slightly  compressed,  and  terminate  in  a 
point  at  each  extremity  :  they  are  supported  by  a  thread  of  silk  passed  around  the  pupa- 
case.  Some  of  the  common  butterflies  belonging  to  this  subfamily,  the  white  and  yellow 
ones  that  flit  about  our  walks,  are  less  beautiful  than  those  of  the  first  subfamily,  but  still 
deserve  our  admiration. 


200  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

The  genera  of  the  family  have  the  following  characters  : 

In  Papilio,  the  antenna!  arc  long,  but  the  club  is  not  flattened  :  posterior  wings  angulateJ. 

In  GrONiAPTERix,  the  wings  angulated  ;  antennas  short. 

In  CoLiAS  :  club  of  the  antenna  not  compressed  ;  posterior  wings  rounded,  and  covered  with  scales. 

In  PlERls,  the  club  of  the  antenna  is  compressed  :  wings  naked. 

In  PoNTiA,  the  club  is  compressed  :  forewings  trigonate,  and  both  covered  with  scales. 

The  CoLiAs  is  the  genus  that  contains  our  common  sulphur-yellow  butterfly  bordered 
with  black  :  the  Goniapterix  and  Portia  are  white,  and  oui-  Pieris  is  orange  with  a 
black  border. 

Papiliones. 

PAPILIONES  (Westwood).     EQUITES  &  HELIGONII  (Linn^us). 
Papilio  asterias  (  Cramer).     P.  troilus  (  Drury,  Abbott  &  Smith).     Butterflies. 

Antenna  long.   Head  black,   marked  with  four  yellow  dots  ;  eyes  blue  :  body  black, 
marked  with  four  rows  of  yellow.  Wings  black  :  beneath  there  is  a  reflection  of  olive 
green  ;  nervures  strong.  Forewings  marked  by  two  rows  of  yellow  spots,  about  eight 
in  each  row  :  inner  row,  the  spots  are  large  and  triangular,  with  apices  directed  to- 
wards the  insertion  of  the  wing  ;  outer  row,  smaller  and  nearly  round.  Outer  edge  of 
the  wing  spotted  with  pale  yellow  :  near  the  anterior  margin,  there  is  a  single  spot 
of  yellow  within  the  rows.  Posterior  wings  tailed  :  upper  side  marked  by  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  yellow  spots,  the  inner  row  being  rounded  and  the  outer  lunate ; 
between  which  rows,  there  is  a  row  of  large  blue  spots  placed  betwixt  the  nervures. 
There  is  an  eyelet  upon  the  inner  margin,  the  ring  of  which  is  orange  with  a  black 
centre  :  the  hindwings  ai-e  margined  like  the  forewings.  Beneath,  the  yellow  spots  are 
converted  into  orange,  except  those  of  the  outer  row  upon  the  forewings,  and  some  of 
the  orange  spots  are  margined  with  yellow  :  the  blue  spots  have  become  lunate,  and 
softened  into-olive-green.     Expansion  of  wing,  three  to  foiu-  inches. 
The  caterpillar  is  found  in  the  month  of  June,  feeding  upon  umbelliferous  plants,  as 
the  parsley  and  carrot.  When  perfect,  it  is  smooth,  and  of  an  apple-green  color ;  each 
segment  or  ring  being  marked  by  transverse  alternating  bands  of  black  and  yellow  spots. 
When  first  hatched,  it  is  black,  and  banded  across  the  middle  :  it  undergoes  a  succession 
of  changes  during  its  moulting.  It  has  a  peculiar  mode  of  defending  itself  from  the  attack 
of  flies  ;  as  when  touched,  it  protrudes  from  the  first  segment  of  the  body  a  pair  of  orange- 
colored  horns,  which  exliale  a  disagreeable  odor.  The  pupa  is  of  an  ochre-yellow  or  pale 
green. 


4il 


FAMILY    PAPILIONID^.  201 


Papilio  PHiLENOR  (  Fabricius).  P.  astikous  (  Drury). 
Head,  thorax  and  abdomen  black  ;  the  breast  marked  with  two  rows  of  yellowish  dots  : 
antennas  and  eyes  brown  or  brownish  black.  Upper  side  :  Forewings  black  with  a 
green  lustre  ;  apical  area  brownish  ;  outer  margin  marked  wilh  five  spots,  and  edge 
trimmed  with  black  and  white  :  hindwings  polished  green,  silky,  darker  at  the  base  ; 
posterior  margin  marked  with  five  white  lunules  ;  anal  angle  excavated  and  edged 
with  white  ;  tail  rounded,  its  angles  trimmed  with  black  and  white,  the  crense  being 
white.  Under  side  :  Forewings  black  ;  apical  area  olive  ;  margin  marked  with  five 
j^ellowish  spots  ;  edge  black  and  yellowish  white  :  hindwings  highly  polished,  green 
and  lustrous,  with  the  outer  and  inner  mar-gins  marked  with  large  fuscous  spots  sur- 
rounded with  a  velvety  black  ring,  with  a  single  spot  of  yellowish  white  on  the  outer 
side;  edge  trimmed  with  black  and  yellowish  white ;  tail  dilated.  Legs  and  feet  black. 

Papilio  turnus  (Linnaeus).  P.  alcidamas  (Cramer).  (  Plate  xxxviii,  fig.  3.) 
Antennae  black  :  body  black  above,  marked  with  a  yellow  stripe  beginning  at  the  neck, 
and  passing  over  the  insertion  of  the  wings  and  along  the  sides  of  the  abdomen  :  sides 
of  the  breast  striped  with  yellow ;  palpi  yellow.  Upper  side  :  Wings  yellow,  marked 
by  five  subcos^l  bands  :  the  first  is  a  marginal  one,  extending  from  the  shoulder  to 
a  yellow  lunule  at  the  anal  angle  ;  the  second  extends  as  far,  but  grows  thinner  and 
terminates  in  a  point,  and  the  other  three  are  abbreviated  and  confined  to  the  fore- 
Aving  :  costal  edge  black.  The  outer  marginal  band  is  wide,  black,  and  common  to 
both  pair  of  wings,  and  is  ornamented  with  six  lunules,  larger  and  more  perfect  in  the 
hind-  than  in  the  forewings,  the  first  and  last  fulvous.  Hindwings  scollcpped  and 
tailed  :  tail  rather  long  and  narrow ;  anal  angle  lulvous,  edged  with  white,  and 
ornamented  with  three  lunules,  yellow,  black  and  blue,  and  a  ferruginous  one  below. 
The  hindwing  edges  are  trimmed  with  yellow  ;  the  forewings  with  white.  Beneath, 
the  yellow  is  pale  ;  the  subcostal  bands  are  less  black  and  velvety,  and  bordered  with 
greenish.  Outer  margin,  the  edge  is  black  :  there  is  a  dusky  yellow  band,  succeeded 
by  a  broader  and  more  dusky  one,  showing  greenish  yellow,  and  bounded  on  the 
inside  with  a  strong  black  line  of  scollops.  Hindwings,  the  edge  is  yellow,  succeeded 
by  black  and  yellow  lunules  :  the  black  line  within  is  bordered  with  blue.  Expanse 
of  wing  four  inches.  Length  from  the  head  to  the  extremity  of  the  tail,  2\  inches. 
This  is  one  of  our  common  butterflies,  and  resembles  the  Machaon  of  Europe,  but  its 
markings  and  form  are  more  like  those  of  the  Podalirius.  Its  larvae  are  not  known  as 
injurious  to  the  cultivated  vegetables. 

[  Ageicoltural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  26 


202  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Helicouiidae. 

Genus  DANAUS. 
The  generic  characters  of  the  Danaus,  as  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Say,  are  as  follows  : 
'Anterior  feet  spurious  in  both  sexes  :  antenna  terminated  by  a  club  ;  palpi  distant,  sub- 
'  cylindric,  short  :  inferior  wings  rounded,  not  forming  a  groove  for  the  reception  of 
'  the  abdomen  :  nails  of  the  tarsi  simple.' 

Danaus  plexipplis.  (Plate  xxxviii,  fig.  1.) 

Head  and  body  black,  marked  with  two  rows  of  white  dots  :  sides  also  marked  with  many 

white  dots  :  five  posterior  rings  of  the  abdomen  edged  with  white,  with  two  rows  of 

dots  beneath.  Wings  entire,  fulvous  red  varying  in  depth  in  diiierent  individuals  : 

nervures  and  costse  black ;  lateral  and   posterior   margins  trimmed  with   a  black 

border,  and  two  rows  of  white  spots  with  a  black  and  white  edge  :  apical  area  black, 

and  marked  with  elongate  and  subquadrate  spots  of  the  ground-color  of  the  wings, 

with  smaller  spots  of  wliite  extending  along  the  costa.     Beneath,  paler  :  hind-  paler 

than  the  forewings  ;  in  other  respects,  the  markings  are  not  dissimilar  to  those  of  the 

upper  surface.  Eyes  and  legs  steel-blue  :  tarsi  velvet-black.    Expanse  of  \^  ing,  four 

and  a  quarter  inches. 

Common,  and  widely  distributed.  The  larvfe  are  harmless,  feeding  on  useless  plants,  as 

the  asclepias,  etc.  :  they  are  annulated  with  white ;  the  pupa  is  green,  and  dotted  with 

golden  spots. 

LiMENiTis  Dissippus.  (Plate  xlvii,  figs.  1,  2.) 

Ground-color  of  the  wings  precisely  the  same  as  in  the  Banaus  plexipp'us.  In  the  apical 
area,  a  somewhat  triangular  spot  of  black  extends  from  the  apex  to  the  outer  angle, 
within  which  there  are  four  oblong  spots  of  the  color  of  the  wing,  and  a  small  one  at 
the  junction  with  the  marginal  border  :  this  black  spot  is  marked  with  three  white 
spots,  and  sometimes  four  in  the  row  ;  the  lower  one  is  a  mere  dot.  Between  these 
white  spots  and  the  apex,  there  is  an  elongate  white  lunule,  or  an  elongate  pointed 
spot.  Beneath  the  costa,  there  is  sometimes  a  white  spot  towards  the  base  of  the  wing. 
The  hindwing  is  marked  by  a  narrow  black  belt,  extending  from  near  the  middle  of 
the  costa,  across  the  wing  to  the  anal  angle.  Beneath,  paler  :  upon  the  forewing 
there  are  two  subcostal  bluish  white  spots,  and  a  dash  of  white  on  the  costa  near  the 
black  triangular  spot.  In  the  apical  area,  the  fulvous  spots  are  five  in  number,  and 
more  distinct  than  those  above.  Hindwings,  the  black  belt  is  bordered  on  its  basal  side 
with  three  or  more  bluish  white  spots  placed  between  the  nervures.  The  border  in 
both  pair  of  wings  is  trimmed  with  black,  upon  which  the  inner  row  of  spots  forms 


FAMILY    HEI.ICONIIDiE.  203 

a  distinct  lunule,  succeeded  on  the  outside  by  interruittetl  curved  blue  lines  :  edge 
trimmed  with  black  and  white. 
Head  and  body  black  :  the  back  of  the  head  is  marked  with  four  white  spots,  the  first 
pair  placed  at  the  base  of  the  antenna.  Antennte  black,  tipped  with  rufous  :  palpi 
black,  striped  with  white  on  the  outside.  Eyes  blue,  with  a  white  spot  posteriorly. 
Each  side  of  the  thorax  is  marked  with  three  large  white  spots  :  coxte  white ;  the 
ventral  portion  of  five  rings,  w]iite,and  an  abbreviated  lateral  white  line.  Legs  black  : 
tarsi  of  the  forelegs  striped  with  white  in  front.     Expanse  of  wing  varies  from  two 
and  a  half  to  three  inches. 
This  species  is  found  accompanying  the  D.  plexippus  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  and  is 
usually  regarded  as  a  mere  variety  of  the  same ;  but  the  many  differences  in  the  markings, 
taken  in  connection  with  the  constancy  in  size  of  the  numerous  individuals  I  have  exa- 
mined, leave  no  doubt  of  its  distinct  character. 

LiMENiTis  URSULA.  (  Plate  xxxiii,  figs.  1  &  2.) 

Color  black  above,  black  and  brownish  beneath  :  antennae  black  ;  knob  rather  slender  : 
eyes  brown  :  head  black.  Behind  the  antennte  there  are  two  white  triangular  spots, 
and  a  white  line  beneath  and  outside  of  eacli  eye.  Thorax  and  abdomen  black  above  : 
sides  of  the  former  marked  with  three  white  spots  ;  on  the  latter,  the  edges  of  the 
rings  of  the  venter  white,  and  sides  marked  with  a  wide  white  stripe.  Outside  palpi 
white  :  upperside  of  the  imperfect  forefeet  white.  Forewings  subfalcate  ;  outer  margin 
slightly  sinuate  ;  nervures  of  the  wings  with  fom-  branches  :  posterior  wings  slightly 
angulated,  without  tail,  subtrigonal.  Upper  side,  velvety  black  :  forewings  marked 
with  submargiual  bluish  and  rather  obsolete  lunules  ;  apical  area  marked  with  two 
white  triangular  spots ;  edge  trimmed  with  white  and  black  :  hindwings  marked 
with  tw^o  rows  of  pale  blue  quadrangular  spots,  the  third  upon  the  inner  row  from 
the  anal  angle  being  a  lunate  spot.  Outside  of  these  there  are  two  rows  of  sublunate 
spots,  the  outer  white,  the  inner  blue  ;  the  former  are  placed  upon  the  edge.  Beneath, 
the  apical  area  is  brownish,  and  marked  with  white  spots,  which  become  obsolete  as 
they  extend  towards  the  outer  angle.  Base  of  the  wing  bluish  in  some  lights,  and 
marked  with  two  brown  and  four  blue  subcostal  spots  :  the  blue  spots  are  small,  and 
stand  two  and  two  ;  the  margin  is  trimmed  with  two  rows  of  lunules,  and  the  edge 
with  white  and  black.  Behind  the  disk  is  brownish,  similar  to  the  apical  area,  and 
the  base  is  marked  with  a  cluster  of  rufous  and  blue  spots.  The  margin  inside  has 
five  rufous  spots  surrounded  with  Mack,  and  two  rows  of  lunules  parallel  with  the 
edge,  which  is  trimmed  with  white  ;  nd  black. 
This  species  is  found  as  far  south  as  ('eorgia,  yet  does  not  appear  to  be  common  any 
where  :  it  feeds  on  the  gooseberry  leaf  and  wild  cherry,  and  is  figured  in  Abbott  and 
Smith's  Lepidoptera. 


3,04  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 


P  i  c  r  i  d  e  s. 

PIERIDES  CWestwood).     PANAI  (  Linn^us). 

CoLiAs  THiLODicE  (Godart).     Clouded-sulphur  Butterfly.     (  Plate  xxxv,  figs.  1,  2,  4  &  9.J 

Papilio  pal^no?  (Linnaeus).     Colias  ecropome  (Swainson). 

Male  :  Antennoe  ferruginous;  knob  blackish  above,  ferruginous  beneath,  tipped  with 
ferruginous  or  rosy  color  :  palpi  yellow,  clothed  with  long  hairs,  greenish  at  base  : 
eyes  brown.  Head  blackish  above  ;  tips  of  the  hairs  often  reddish.  Trunk  and  abdo- 
men blackish  above,  or  rather  greenish ;  beneath,  yellow.  Wings  yellow,  broadly 
bordered  with  black.  Anterior  wings  above  marked  with  a  central  diamond-shaped 
black  spot,  which  is  matched  by  a  faint  yellowish  spot  upon  the  posterior  wing  : 
beneatli  yellow,  with  a  greenish  tinge,  especially  beneath  the  black  border  of  the 
forewings.  Posterior  wings  of  a  deeper  tint  of  sulphur-yellow  than  the  anterior,  and 
marked  with  two  brownish  spots  each  :  the  first  is  near  the  middle  of  the  wing,  and 
coalesces  with  a  smaller  spot  towards  the  anterior  margin,  and  both  are  ornamented 
in  the  centre  with  a  spangle  of  silver ;  the  other,  a  reddish  oblong  brown  spot,  is 
placed  directly  midway  upon  the  anterior  margin  of  the  wing,  pointing  to  the  coa- 
lescing central  spots.  Wings  ciliate  :  cilise  rosy  red. 

Female  :  The  colors  of  the  wings  are  much  like  those  of  the  male.  The  border  is  rather 
paler,  and  shows  six  spots  of  the  ground-color  of  the  wings,  placed  two  and  two  : 
four  of  the  spots  are  nearer  the  apical  angle.  The  posterior  wings  show  obsoletely  the 
marks  placed  beneath  :  the  black  border  is  fainter  and  narrower  than  in  the  male. 
Beneath,  the  anterior  wings  scarcely  differ  from  those  of  the  male  ;  the  posterior  are 
paler,  and,  if  any  thing,  show  a  faint  rosy  tint,  with  three  or  four  small  dots.  Ex- 
panse of  wing,  about  two  inches. 
The  females  differ  as  to  depth  of  coloring  :  some  are  nearly  as  yellow  as  the  male  ;  in 

others,  the  yellow  is  pale  and  whitish.  The  caterpillar  is  described  as  pubescent,  green, 

with  yellow  lines  and  black  dots. 

Fig.  1,  male  ;  9,  upper  side  female  ;  2,  lower  side  female  ;  4,  lower  side  male. 

Pontia  oleracea  (  Harris).     Potherb  Pontia. 

Knob  of  the  antennae  flattened,  black, and  tipped  with  ferruginous;  setaceous  part,  white 

beneath  ;  above  black,  with  the  lower  margin  of  the  rings  white.  Head  white,  with  a 

black  spot  upon  the  back  of  it.  Thorax  and  body  black,  wilh  the  ends  of  many  hairs 

and  scales  white  :  the  sides  of  the  abdomen  are  striped  with  white.  Anterior  wings 


FAMILY    HEUCONIIDiE.  205 

white,  and  tips  and  base  dusky,  which  color  extends  outward  along  the  nervures. 
Posterior  wings  white  above,  slightly  yellowish  green  beneath. 

Dr.  Harris  has  given  a  minute  description  of  the  eggs  and  caterpillar  of  this  species, 
from  which  it  appears  that  the  female  lays  its  yellowish  eggs  upon  the  leaves  of  cabbages, 
radishes  or  turnips,  about  the  first  of  June  ;  that  they  are  hatched  in  about  a  week,  and 
that  the  caterpillar  attains  its  full  size  in  three  weeks  :  it  measures  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
length,  is  of  a  pale  green  color,  and  feeds  indiscriminately  upon  any  part  of  the  leaf, 
perforating  it  in  many  places.  The  pupa  state  lasts  about  eleven  days. 

This  butterfly,  as  may  be  supposed  from  its  habits  above  described,  is  injurious  to 
garden  plants.  There  is  no  other  way  to  save  cabbages,  etc.  when  attacked  by  the  cater- 
pillar, than  to  crush  it  under  foot.  It  is  common,  but  less  so  than  (he  Colias.  Neither  inflict 
very  extensive  injury  upon  the  farmer  ;  and  if  the  birds  could  have  their  own  way  so  far 
as  to  inhabit  the  trees  about  the  garden  without  molestation,  they  would  always  keep  these 
minor  evils  in  check  :  the  indviduals  of  any  species  of  insect  would  never  increase  to  an 
extent  such  as  to  call  the  husbandman  or  gardener  from  his  other  duties. 

The  Panfia  oleracea  has  a  resemblance  to  species  of  the  Genus  ^pterix  :  in  all  these 
however,  the  antennae  are  shorter,  not  flattened,  but  clavate,  and  the  wings  are  angulated  ; 
and  finally  the  individuals  are  all  larger  than  the  P.  oleracea. 

PiERis  NicippE?  (Plate  XXXV,  fig.  7.) 

Head  and  body  black  above,  but  crossed  at  the  back  of  the  head  and  thorax  with  yel- 
lowish ;  beneath,  yellow  and  orange  along  the  sides.  Antennae  rather  short  :  knob 
yellowish.  Wings  yellow  or  orange  :  border  wide,  black,  and  edged  with  orange  about 
the  middle  :  below  the  anterior  edge  there  is  a  short  black  line  ;  the  anterior  border 
rather  greenish.  Beneath  yellow,  with  a  few  splashes  of  red  particularly  on  the  hind- 
wings.  Forewings,  the  outer  border  is  yellow,  while  the  basal  part  is  a  deeper  yellow : 
the  outer  edge  of  the  forewing  is  dotted  with  brown  ;  and  the  fore-edge  of  the  hind- 
wing  shows  many  sharp  dark  lines,  but  frequently  obscure. 
Though  this  species  does  not  agree  in  every  particular  of  coloring  with  the  nicippe,  it  is 
not  so  far  removed  as  to  admit  much  doubt  of  its  being  the  same.  It  has  a  wide  range, 
being  found  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  as  well  as  in  New-York  ;  but  here  it  is  far  from 
being  common. 

Some  of  the  figures  have  been  colored  of  a  deeper  orange  than  the  specimens  ordinarily 
exhibit  :  indeed  some  individuals  scarcely  partake  of  this  color  at  all,  laearing  mostly 
upon  yellow. 

Fig.  7,  upper  side  ;  6,  lower  side. 


20  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 


Nymplialidae. 


The  distinguishing  characteristics  of  tliis  family  are  found  in  the  forelegs,  the  antennae, 
the  posterior  groove  of  the  hind  wings,  and  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  pupa  is  sus- 
pended. The  anterior  legs  are  defective,  being  short  and  unfitted  for  walliing  :  the  antennre 
have  a  distinct  club,  it  maybe  compressed  or  somewhat  prolonged  below,  but  never  hooked 
at  the  tip  :  the  two  hind  pair  of  legs  are  furnished  with  bifid  claws,  the  hinder  tibia  with  a 
single  pair  of  spurs  ;  and  the  posterior  wings  receive  and  protect  the  abdomen  in  a  groove. 
The  larvse  bear  spines  or  else  tubercles,  and  are  cylindric  :  the  pupa  is  angulated,  and 
suspended  by  the  tail. 

This  family  embraces  the  beautiful  species  that  have  received  the  common  names  of  red 
and  white  admirals,  paitited-ladies,  fritterlaries,  etc.  Their  flight  is  Strong,  and  more  than 
makes  up  for  the  imperfection  of  their  feet. 

The  genera  may  be  known  by  the  following  characters  : 

The  Vanessa  have  angulated  wings  ;  antennae  rather  abruptly  clavate  ;  eyes  pubescent. 

The  Cynthia  have  rather  rounded  wings,  or  only  subangulated  :  in  other  respects,  they  closely  re- 
semble the  vanessEe. 

In  the  LlJiENlTES,  the  wings  are  more  or  less  rounded  ;  the  antennae  are  straight  ;  the  club  gradually 
thicliens  :  eyes  pubescent. 

In  the  HlPPAKCHl^,  the  club  of  the  antennae  gradually  thickens,  and  is  more  or  less  curved. 

The  Argynnes  have  the  antennae  rather  abruptly  clavate,  and  club  short ;  eyes  naked  ;  wings  broad, 
and  the  head  large.. 


Nymphalidcs. 

Vanessa  antiopa.      Willow  Butterfly.  (  Plate  vi,  figs.  5,  G,  7.) 

Papilio  antiopa  (  Linnaeus,  Donovan). 

Above  the  medium  size.  Wings  angulated  :  upper  sides  deep  purplish  brown ;  surface 

appearing  like  velvet,  bordered  with  a  broad  wavy  belt  of  black,  in  which  there  are 

angular  violet-blue  spots  :  outer  margins  cream-colored,  sprinkled  with  dots  arranged 

somewhat  in  lines ;  the  salient  angles  ot   the  border  more  distinctly  marked.  The 

anterior  margin  of  the  primary  wings  has  cream-colored  spots  beyond  the  middle, 

towards  the  outer  edge  :  the  underside  of  the  wings  darker  brown,  terminating  in 

the  scollopped  mottled  gray  border,  in  which  there  is  a  row  of  darker  angular  spots. 

The  secondary  wings  are  prolonged  slightly  into  tails. 

The  caterpillar  is  black,  with  a  series  of  spots  along  the  back,  and  each  joint  armed  with 

spines.  It  consumes  the  leaves  of  the  poplar,  willow,  etc.,  but  injures  more  especially  (he 


FAMILY    NYMPHALID.E.  207 

elm,  from  the  branches  of  which  it  often  hangs  in  clusters ;  and  wlien  once  stripped  of 
its  foliage  by  the  larva  of  this  species,  which  are  more  numerous  some  years  than  others, 
the  tree  rarely  recovers. 

The  pupa  is  suspended  by  its  tail  from  the  underside  of  a  stone  or  rail,  and  is  pointed 
and  armed  with  a  double  row  of  spines  upon  its  ventral  surface. 

The  antiope  or  willow  butterfly  survives  the  winter  :  it  seeks  a  warm  secluded  place,  and 
hence  in  the  spring  it  appears  early.  The  young  butterfly  comes  forth  from  the  chrysalis 
state  in  July  ;  and  in  August  a  second  brood  of  caterpillars  appear,  which  pass  through 
their  changes  before  winter. 

In  consideration  of  the  extensive  injury  these  caterpillars  inflict  upon  some  of  our  best 
kinds  of  shade  trees,  it  is  very  desirable  that  they  should  be  destroyed,  by  shaking  them 
from  the  limbs  on  which  they  congregate,  and  crushing  them  under  the  foot  It  is  only  by 
taking  this  advantage  of  its  larval  state,  that  the  increase  of  the  species  can  b6  efiectually 
checked. 


Vanessa  interrogationis.     Semicolon  Buftojly  {Jiams).  (Plate  xxxv,  fig.  5.) 

Head  and   body  brown,  hairy.  Anterior  wings  angulated  and  reddish  or  dark  reddish 

orange,  with  their  borders  broadly  shaded  with  black  and  obscurely  marked  with 

reddish  spots,  of  which  the  longest  is  situated  at  the  superior  and  outer  angle,  and 

dotted  or  marked  within  with  black  :  middle  spotted  with  seven  angular  black  spots. 

Posterior  wings  all  black  except  their  bases,  but  the  black  is  not  sufficient  to  conceal 

rows  of  reddish  spots  :  posterior  and  lateral  margin  edged  with  a  black  line,  within 

which  there  is  a  reddish  white  line  extending  and  spreading  over  the  short  tails. 

Underside  of  both  pairs  of  wings  the  color  is  rust-red  or  marbled  :  the  border  of  the 

hindwing  is  also  ornamented  with  faint  bluish  green  lunate  spots.  The  centre  has  the 

pale  silvery  comma.     Expansion  of  wing,  2i  -  2|  inches. 

The  caterpillar  is  spinous,  brownish  and  variegated  with  yellow  and  brown,  and  lives 

upon  the  hop. 

There  seems  to  be  some  variety  in  the  markings  of  this  butterfly,  though  the  general 
pattern  is  much  the  same. 


Vanessa  proone  (  Fabricius).  Progne  Buttcrfy. 
Antennse  brown  :  knob  dark  brown,  tipped  with  lighter  ;  outside  spotted  with  black  and 
white  ;  beneath  light  brown.  Head  with  a  black  spot  at  the  base  of  the  palpi.  Body 
brown,  light  beneath  and  black  above.  Wings  angulated,  brown,  and  spotted  with 
black.  Anterior  w-ings  :  Outer  margin  black,  marked  near  the  centre  with  five 
round  spots  placed  in  a  right  angle  :  above  and  near  the  margin  there  is  an  oblong 


208  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

larger  spot  than  either  of  the  five ;  beyond,  a  dusky  patch  with  the  apex  black. 
Posterior  wings,  mostly  dusky  black,  but  brownish  towards  the  base  :  tails  and 
margins  powdered  with  reddish  white  :  beneath  grayish,  mottled  reddish  or  orange, 
and  with  obscure  spots  of  lighter  and  darker  color  partaking  more  or  less  of  brown. 
Hindwings  marked  with  a  silvery  <[  opening  outwards. 
This  species  furnishes  considerable  variation  in  the  markings,  as  well  as  in  expansion 
of  wings.  It  is  a  common  species,  generally  smaller  than  the  red  admiral  and  comma  but- 
terfly. 

Dr.  Harris  regards  this  species  and  V.  argentea,  described  by  the  late  Rev.  W.  Kirby 
in  the  Fauna  Boreali  JlmericancB.  as  the  same. 


Yanessa  comma  (  Harris). 
Dr.  Harris  has  recently  described  an  American  comma  butterfly,  which   had   been 
regarded  as  identical  with  the  European  :  although  closely  resembling  the  latter,  the 
hinder  wings  are  not  so  deeply  indented,  which  feature  may  serve  to  distinguish  the  two. 
For  description,  see  Harris's  Injui-ious  Insects,  2d  edition,  p.  241. 

Vanessa  polychloros  1     Comma  Butterfly. 

Anterior  wings,  dusky  orange,  darker  at  base,  marked  with  four  large  subquadrate  spots 

upon  the  disk,  of  which  three  are  in  a  line,  and  the  other  is  placed  below  the  middle 

spot  of  the  three  :  costal  margin  with  three  large  abbreviated  fascite,  the  middle  one 

the  largest,  the  apical  one  smallest  and  whiter  :  outer  margin  dusky,  and  marked 

with  an  irregular  pale  line.     Posterior  wings  have  a  large  black  or  dark  brown 

costal  s^jot  :  outer  margin  marked  with  crescents,  which  are  not  sufficiently  distinct 

to  warrant  insertion  in  this  description,  owing  to  injury  :  a  slender  pale  line  is  visible 

running  parallel  with  the  edge.  Beneath  the  wings  are  clouded,  the  basal  portion  much 

the  darkest ;  the  higher  portion,  or  broad  band  is  striated  transversely  by  numerous 

darker  interrupted  lines.  In  the  middle  of  the  posterior  wing  there  is  a  silvery  curved 

line. 

The  individual  above  described  differs  about  as  much  from  the  English  polychloros,  as 

our  Vanessa  atalanta  or  Cynthiu  cardui  from  theirs.  The  most  important  point  not  made 

out,  relates  to  the  bluish  lunules  upon  the  outer  margin  ;  but  on  applying  our  polychloros 

to  the  English  figure,  I  find  it  fits  in  length  and  breadth,  and  also  the  angulated  and  scol- 

lopped  edges.  There  is  a  close  correspondence  in  the  patterns  above  and  beneath,  and  the 

general  resemblance  is  so  near  that  it  will  not  be  safe  to  treat  our  species  as  distinct  frtm 

the  English. 


FAMILY    NYMPHALID^.  209 

Vanessa  drtici:?     Tortoise-shell  Butterjly.  (Plate  xlvi,  figs.  8,  9,  10.) 

Papilio  urtic^  ( Linnseus). 

Upper  sides  of  both  pair  of  wings  bright  red-orange,  dark  at  the  base,  and  covered  with 

long  olive-brown  hairs.  Costal  margin  of  the  fore  wings  marked  with  three  large  black 

subquadrate  spots  :  between  these  spots,  pale  orange,  with  a  whitish  figure  tow  ards  the 

apex,  but  within  the  border.  Under  the  three  black  spots  mentioned,  there  are  three 

quadrangular  spots  upon  the  disk  :  the  one  nearest  the  base,  rectangular  and  largest, 

and  bordered  on  the  outer  edge  with  yellowish ;  above  which  are  the  two  smaller 

spots.  Extei'ior  margin  of  both  pair  of  wings  black,  and  ornamented  all  around  wilh 

blue  lunules  :  beneath,  the  basal  half  of  the  hind-pair  is  nearly  black  ;  outside  of 

which  there  is  a  belt  of  brown  marked  transversely  by  darker  lines,  and  tlien  the 

blackish  border  ornamented  with  obscure  or  black  lunules.  On  the  forewings  there  is 

a  large  pale  orange  i)atch,  corresponding  to  the  reddish  orange  markings  above. 

Antenn.b  :  rings  marked  with  white  and   brown  ;  knob  brown,  terminated  with  pale 

orange ;  palpi  gray,  from  an  intermixture  of  white  and  brown  hairs.     Expanse  of 

wing,  1 1  -  3  inches. 

I  am  unable  to  say  whether  this  is  a  common  species  in  this  State,  or  not  :  it  has  been 

taken  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  this  season  (1853),  and  I  believe  frequently.  It  resembles 

Say's  V.furccUata,  obtained  in  the  Northwest  Territory ;  but  in  the  latter  there  are  two 

subquadrate  yellow  and  reddish  spots  near  the  costa  upon  the  black  ground,  and  the  broad 

belt  is  orange,  bearing  upon  the  costa  a  large  black  spot. 

Vanessa  atalanta  (  Fabricius,  Curtis,  Stephens).  Pap'lio  atalanta  (Stephens). 
Base  of  the  anterior  wings  rich  brown  ;  of  the  apical  half,  brownish  black  with  a  tinge  of 
blue,  in  which  there  is  a  series  of  white  spots  arranged  in  a  curved  line,  the  two 
largest  spots  separated  by  the  two  smallest.  Between  the  broad  orange  fascife  and  the 
series  of  white  spots,  there  is  a  large  white  spot  upon  the  costa.  The  orange  fascia 
crosses  the  wing,  but  does  not  quit  the  posterior  angle  :  the  scollopjed  edges  are 
trimmed  with  white.  Posterior  wing,  two-thirds  of  the  basal  part  rich  velvety  brown, 
ornamented  with  a  broad  border  similar  in  color  to  the  fascia  of  the  forewing,  and 
dotted  through  its  middle  with  black,  besides  the  two  confluent  blue  spots  of  the 
anal  angle.  Beneath,  the  forewings  are  black  ;  and  between  the  middle  orange  band 
and  base,  there  are  red  and  blue  lines  :  apex  ashy  brown.  The  hindwings  are  brown, 
black  and  grayish,  traversed  transversely  by  black  narrow  interrupted  wavy  bands  : 
beneath  the  orange  belt  the  color  is  ashen,  marked  with  black  angular  lines.  On  the 
costal  margin  there  is  an  ashen  patch,  with  a  darker  middle. 
[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  27 


210  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Cyntia  cardui.      Vanessa  cardui  (Godart).  (Plate  xlvi,  figs.  1,  2.) 

Anterior  wing  :  Disk  reddish  orange,  extending  near  the  base  ;  apical  part  nearly  black, 
marked  with  quadrangular  spots,  the  two  smallest  placed  just  to  the  right  of  the  other 
two  :  the  large  costal  spot  within  the  four  spots  spoken  of,  is  divided  into  three  parts 
by  the  nervures  :  margin.and  edges  trimmed  with  white  brown,  and  an  interrupted 
line  which  reaches  the  costa  between  the  white  spots  and  apex.  Posterior  wings 
reddish  orange,  their  inner  margin  covered  with  long  brown  hair  :  upon  the  disk  of 
orange  there  are  four  regular  round  black  spots,  an  imperfectly  formed  bar  within, 
with  two  rows  of  black  spots  without,  placed  with  long  diameters  at  right  angles  to 
each  other ;  the  edge  is  trimmed  with  white.  The  hindwing  is  orange,  spotted  all  over 
with  black  spots  :  the  costal  margin,  which  is  connected  under  the  forewings,  is 
white.  Beneath,  the  coloring  is  brighter  on  the  forewings,  but  the  pattern  is  much 
the  same  as  above.  The  hindwings  are  ornamented  with  four  distinct  eyes,  the  two 
smallest  in  the  middle  :  the  centre  is  black  ;  then  a  partial  ray  of  blue,  then  of  black, 
then  a  distinct  one  of  butf  margined  with  black.  Towards  the  outer  angle  there  is 
often  a  fifth  much  smaller  eye,  arranged  on  a  line  with  Ihe  others.  The  whole  of  the 
portion  within  the  eyes,  and  the  nerves,  are  all  white,  with  numerous  large  and  small 
white  and  light  brown  angulated  spots  and  bars. 

Cynthia  huntera  (  Kirby). 

Papilio  cardui  virginiensis  ( Drury).     P.  idle  (Cramer).     Vanessa  huntera  (Dale,  Stephens). 

Edges  of  the  wings  rounded,  or  only  subangulated.  Disk  of  both  pair  of  wings  orange  red, 
brown  at  base,  and  darker  at  the  apex  ;  disk  broken  by  black  irregular  transverse 
bars  connected  by  delicate  lines  :  apical  part  marked  with  four  silvery  white  spots ; 
the  two  smallest  are  outside  of  the  larger,  and  the  costal  one  is  divided  by  the  black 
nervure  into  two  parts.  There  is  also  a  large  subquadrangular  spot  resting  on  the 
costa  :  outer  margin  trimmed  with  parallel  scollops  of  white,  brown  and  orange.  On 
the  posterior  wing  the  ornaments  consist  of  two  black  circles  with  blue  centres,  be- 
tween which  are  two  black  spots.  The  margin  does  not  differ  much  from  that  of  the 
forewing,  except  tliat  the  scollops  take  the  form  of  lunate  spots  :  upon  the  anal  angle, 
these  spots  have  blue  discs.  Beneath,  there  is  much  greater  complexity  as  well  as 
beauty  of  coloring.  The  principal  and  characteristic  ornaments  are  the  eyes  on  the 
apical  angle  of  the  forewings,  and  two  large  eyes  surrounded  with  black  upon  the 
hindwings  :  the  disk  is  a  patch  of  white  composed  of  mealy  scoUopped  lines.  The 
margin  below  resembles  that  above. 
The  caterpillar  is  said  by  Drury  to  be  green,  with  black  rings  around  the  body,  and 

feeds  on  balsam  or  lady^s-jewels. 


FAMILY    NYMPHALIDjE.  211 

LiMENiTis  ARTHEMis-     .T\''ympkalis  arfhemis  (  Drury).     ( Plate  xliii,  figs.  2  -  9.) 
Wings  black,  marked  by  a  broad  white  band  common  to  botli  pair,  reaching  very  nearly 
to  the  margins  :  apical  portion  marked  with  three  white  spots,  to  which  a  fourth  is 
sometimes  added.     Beneath,  the  basal  portion  is  black,  perhaps  greenish,  and  orna- 
mented with  a  cluster  of  brown  spots  and  bluish  green  bars  situated  near  the  base  ; 
at  the  apex  there  are  three  white  spots.  Posterior  wings  beneath  are  marked  with  six 
or  seven  brown  spots  outside  of  the  white  band  :  margin  trimmed  with  white,  black 
and  blue.  The  last-mentioned  spots  are  in  two  parallel  lines,  and  bear  the  form  some- 
what of  lunules. 
The  anterior  pair  of  feet  are  white  before  :  abdomen  black,  and  the  venter  has  a  yellow 
stripe  on  the  specimen  before  me. 
This  species  seems  to  have  a  wide  range  ;  being  found  as  Car  north  as  Lake  Winnepec, 
and  south  into  Virginia. 

Arcynnis  aphrodite. 
Stipe  of  the  antennae  long,  buif-brown  ;  knob  black.  Head  and  body  buff,  with  black  upon 
the  thorax  and  upper  side  of  the  abdomen.  Color  of  the  wings  bright  buff-yellow  or 
fulvous  :  forewings  spotted  and  banded  with  black,  and  both  pair  darker  at  base  as 
well  as  hairy.  In  front  there  are  six  or  seven  black  subcostal  bands  :  the  four  from 
the  base  are  connected  with  a  zigzag  band  which  extends  across  the  wing  ;  or  they 
may  be  regarded  as  a  connected  series  of  lunules,  having  in  front  of  their  concavities 
a  row  of  six  round  black  spots,  beyond  which  is  a  regular  row  of  seven  lunules 
smaller  than  the  former  ;  margin  trimmed  and  edged  with  two  black  lines,  which 
are  dilated  where  they  cross  a  nervure.  Hindwings  marked  with  distant  rows  of  lu- 
nules, between  which  there  is  a  row  of  roundish  spots  :  they  are  trimmed  and  cdgtd 
like  the  forewings.  Beneath  paler,  and  the  subcostal  bands  are  more  distinct  :  there 
is  a  double  row  of  lunules,  with  three  spots  between.  At  the  apex,  the  black  spots 
and  lunules  of  the  upper  sides  are  replaced  by  silvery  ones.  Hindwings,  baee  deeper 
colored  than  the  wide  margins,  and  ornamented  with  three  parallel  rows  of  bright 
silvery  spots,  and  several  more  which  cluster  at  the  base  :  among  the  rows,  there  are 
small  silvery  spots  scattered  about  without  order  :  margin  trimmed  with  a  plain 
brown  band  edged  with  black.  The  silvery  spots  are  surrounded  with  a  black  ring 
wholly  or  in  part ;  and  there  is  a  straight  line  also  on  the  forewings,  between  the 
third  and  fourth  subcostal  bands.  Expanse  of  wing,  21  inches. 
This  species  si  very  common  in  the  western  part  of  Massachusetts  and  Eastern  New- 
York. 


SlJi  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA- 

Argynnis  idealia. 
Antennre  brown,  tipped  with  rufons.  Forewings  a  buff  brown  :  costa  and  margin  black, 
marlied  by  five  subcostal  bands,  besides  the  straiglit  band  which  forms  a  delta  with 
the  fourth  :  apex  black,  marked  with  four  white  elongated  subcostal  spots  :  disk 
marked  by  a  row  of  five  round  spots,  besides  which  there  are  two  lunules  in  reversed 
position  with  respect  to  each  other,  and  two  rather  quadrangular  spots  ;  the  outer 
margin  is  trimmed  with  black,  bearing  a  row  of  eight  or  nine  white  spots.  Hindwings 
dark  or  very  dark  brown,  but  lighter  at  the  base,  and  marked  with  two  rows  of  large 
white  spots.  Beneath,  the  forewings  present  much  the  same  pattern,  except  that  the 
white  border  spots  are  more  distinctly  in  the  form  of  short  arrowheads  bordered  with 
black.  Hindwings  very  uniformly  dark  brown,  and  spotted  with  large  white  spots  : 
there  are  three  parallel  rows,  and  the  basal  cluster  might  be  called  a  fourth  ;  the 
shoulders  have  also  a  white  stripe  running  along  the  edge  of  the  wing.  Expanse  of 
wing,  four  inches. 
This  species  is  far  less  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  than  the  aphrodite. 


Melitjsa  PHa:T0N.  ( Plate  xliii,  figs.  4,  7.) 

Stipe  of  the  antennse  ringed  with  black  and  white  :  knob,  base  fulvous,  middle  black, 
tip  gray  :  palpi,  eyes  and  feet  rufous.  Head  black,  with  a  ring  of  white  around  the 
eyes,  and  a  row  of  white  spots  passing  around  the  head  just  behind  the  antennae. 
Thorax  and  upjier  side  of  the  abdomen  black,  with  a  few  white  dots  along  the  top, 
and  two  rows  along  the  sides.  Beneath  the  abdomen  is  marked  with  a  rufous  red 
series  of  largish  spots  on  each  side,  and  the  venter  with  a  row  of  yellowish  white 
spots.  Upper  side  :  Wings  black  :  outer  margins  ornamented  with  four  rows  of 
spots  ;  the  outer  row  rufous,  resting  on  the  nervures,  and  divided  ;  the  three  inner, 
yellowish  white  ;  the  innermost  row  short  :  beyond  the  rows  there  are  two  or  three 
dashes  of  red,  parallel  with  the  costa.  Hind-  marked  like  the  forewings,  except  the 
short  row  of  spots  is  wanting.  Beneath,  the  surface  of  both  pairs  is  marked  with 
four  rows  of  yellow  spots  between  two  of  brown,  except  the  inner  brown  row  of  the 
forewing  is  replaced  by  two  large  brown  subcostal  spots  :  on  the  hindwings,  there  is 
a  cluster  of  brown  and  yellow  spots  at  the  base.  It  should  be  noted  that  the  yellow 
spots  of  the  outer  row  are  all  lunules  opening  outwards.  Expanse  of  wing,  2  inches. 
This  season  (1853)  this  butterfly  is  quite  common,  while  in  former  years  it  was  scarce. 

Melit^a  pharos.  ( Plate  xliii,  figs.  5  &  6.) 

Head,  body  and  wings  black,  marked  with  numerous  red  and  yellow  spots.  Hindwings 

marked  with  six  orange-colored  spots  extending  across  tJie  wing,  the  concavities 

turned  towards  the  base  of  the  wing.  Outside  of  these  spots,  there  is  a  row  of  six 


FAMILY   NYMPHALIDjE.  213 

ocellate  spots  with  black  centres  :  these  ocelli  stand  between  the  nervures.  Near  the 
base  there  is  a  lunule,  with  a  round  spot  in  its  concavity.  Underside  reddish  clay- 
colored,  mottled  and  clouded.  Forewing  the  red  is  deeper,  and  the  outer  angle  or 
apex  has  a  dark  triangular  space  dotted  with  red  :  outer  margin  clouded  with  red- 
dish of  different  hues.  Spread  of  wing,  about  one  and  a  half  inches. 
This  beautiful  species  is  less  common  here  than  the  preceding. 

Hipparchiides. 

HIPPAKCHIIDES  (Westwood).    SATYRIDES  (Boisduval). 

The  palpi  of  this  subfamily  are  three-jointed  and  elongated,  and  their  antennse  thickened 
very  gradually  at  the  tips.  The  insects  are  not  robust,  but  rather  feeble  in  flight.  Their 
colors,  though  frequently  beautiful,  belong  rather  to  the  neutral  tints  :  they  are  brown 
and  yellow,  with  ocelli  for  ornaments.  The  larvae  feed  upon  the  grasses  during  the  night 
season  :  their  bodies  are  widest  in  the  middle  :  some  of  them  undergo  their  transforma- 
tions in  the  earth,  and  others  suspend  themselves  by  their  tails. 

HippARCHiA  ALOPE.  (  Plate  xxxiii,  figs;  5,  6.) 

Brown ;  paler  beneath.  Antennse  slender  and  arcuate  :  knob  a  mere  dilatation  of  the 
upper  end  ;  stipe  aunulated  with  white.  Upper  side  :  Forewings  marked  with  a 
broad  luteous  band,  or  rather  oblong  spot  placed  upon  the  outer  half  of  the  wing, 
and  ornamented  with  two  eyelets  with  a  black  iris  and  bluish  pupil.  Hind  wings  more 
distinctly  crenate  than  the  forewings,  and  marked  towards  the  posterior  margin  with 
a  single  small  eyelet  with  a  black  iris  and  blue  pupil.  Beneath,  the  eyelets  are 
rather  more  distinct  than  above.  Wings  barred  transversely  by  darker  lines  :  posterior 
are  marked  by  six  small  eyelets  arranged  in  two  lines,  three  in  each ;  the  largest  in 
the  middle,  and  each  surrounded  with  a  perfect  brown  ring  outside  of  the  black  iris. 
The  margins  of  the  wings  are  traversed  by  black  and  brown  lines  running  parallel 
with  the  edge,  which  is  densely  ciliate.  Legs  ashen.     Common. 

Hippahchia  nephele.     Clouded  Hipparchia.  ( Plate  xxxiii,  figs.  3,  4.) 

Color  brown  above  and  beneath,  but  paler  beneath.  Antennae  annulated  with  white  ;  knob 
slender.  Upper  side  is  marked  with  an  obsolete  but  broad  submarginal  band,  in 
which  there  are  two  eyelets  with  a  clouded  white  or  bluish  white  pupil,  and  a  black 
iris  with  a  very  indistinct  brown  ring.  The  posterior  wings  are  crenate,  and  marked 
with  a  minute  or  obsolete  black  spot.  Under  side,  the  belt  of  the  anterior  wings  is 
much  more  distinct,  the  eyelets  bright,  and  the  outer  ring  of  brown  plain  :  margin 
of  the  wing  traversed  with  two  or  three  lines  parallel  to  the  edge.  Outer  half  of  the 
hindwing  paler,  and  marked  with  six  small  eyelets,  which  form  three  rows,  the  largest 


214  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

eyelet  being  in  the  middle  :  the  anal  angles  divaricate,  leaving  a  wide  triangular 
space. 
This  species  was  first  described,  I  believe,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirby  in  Ike  Fauna  Borcali 
JlmericancB. 


Lycseniclae. 

LYC^NID^  (  Leach).    POLYOMMATID^  (  Swainson). 

The  insects  of  this  family  are  small  and  weak,  but  finely  and  delicately  colored  and 
marked.  The  forelegs  are  fitted  for  walking,  and  the  last  joint  of  the  palpi  is  small  and 
naked.  The  caterpillar  has  a  small  head  nearly  concealed  under  the  first  ring,  and  secures 
itself,  when  about  to  undergo  transformation,  by  the  hindfeet  and  a  loop  about  the  body. 
The  chrysalis  is  flat  on  the  underside  ;  its  ends  are  round  :  the  imago  six-footed.  Social, 
and  often  collected  into  groups  upon  sweet-scented  flowers. 

Thecla  acis.  (  Plate  xliii,  figs.  2,  3.) 

PoLYOMMATUS  ( Latreillo  &  Godart).  Papilio  acis  ( Dniry).  P.  ixion  ( Pabricius). 
Superior  wings  immaculate  and  dark  brown  above,  paler  beneath  :  posterior,  bicaudate ; 
the  two  inner  the  longest,  and  immediately  above  are  two  red  spots,  and  two  more 
upon  the  anal  angle.  Under  side,  the  wings  are  lead-colored,  crossed  by  a  narrow 
white  and  black  line  running  parallel  to  the  external  edges  ;  the  posterior  are  crossed 
by  an  indented  irregular  line  :  the  four  long  reddish  spots  stand  above  four  black 
ones. 

Thecla  humuli  (  Harris). 

Anterior  or  primary  wings  dusky  brown  on  their  upper  sides,  tinted  with  bluish  gray  ; 
and,  in  the  males,  they  are  also  marked  with  an  oval  spot  on  the  front  edge.  The 
posterior  wings  are  slenderly  tailed,  but,  unlike  those  of  the  acis,  they  are  tipped  with 
white  ;  and  the  margin  posteriorly  is  also  marked  by  a  row  of  pale  blue  spots,  among 
which  is  a  crescent  of  orange  marked  in  the  centre  with  a  black  dot.  It  is  a  little 
larger  also  than  the  acis  ;  expanding  about  an  inch  and  a  tenth,  while  the  acis  is  only 
about  an  inch. 
In  its  caterpillar  state,  the  T.  humuli  feeds  upon  the  heads  of  the  hop,  as  is  implied  by 

its  specific  name  :  its  color  is  green,  and  its  skin  is  downy.  Described  by  Harris  in  his 

work  on  insects  injurious  to  vegetation,  p.  235,  2d  edition. 


FAMILY   HESPERIIDi£.  215 


Hesperiidae. 


SKIPPERS. 

Head  large,  witli  large  and  prominent  eyes  :  bodies  short  and  thick  ;  feelers  short,  hairy, 
and  ends  square  or  angular.  Antennfe  short  and  distant  from  each  other,  ending  in  a 
knob  prolonged  and  bent  into  a  hook,  and  pointed.  Legs  six,  and  the  four  hindskanks 
furnished  with  two  pairs  of  spurs. 

Larva  :  Head  large  :  body  tapering  from  a  cylindric  middle,  spineless,  and  generally 
naked.  Solitary,  concealed  within  a  rolled  leaf;  their  transformations  taking  place 
in  envelopes  of  leaves  and  fragments  of  straws  bound  together  by  a  few  silken  threads. 
Chrysalids  taper  from  one  end,  and  are  rounded  :  they  make  imperfect  cocoons,  which 
are  formed  of  rolled  leaves  and  threads. 

EuDAMus  TiTVRus.     Tityrus  Skipper.  (Plate  xxxviii,  figs.  4,  5.) 

Antennce  brown  :  eyes  brown,  wilh  a  white  spot  beneath.  Upper  side  :  Head,  body  and 
wings  brown,  lighter  at  base.  The  middle  is  crossed  with  a  wide  yellow  band,  nar- 
rowing towards  the  posterior  angle  :  between  it  and  the  apex  there  are  two  yellow 
dots  or  spots.  Hindwings  tailed,  rounded  upon  their  anal  angle  :  beneath  they  are 
marked  by  a  large  oval  and  central  white  spot ;  the  edges  trimmed  with  yellow  or 
yellowish  brown.  Expanse  of  wings,  2  -  2J  inches.  The  larva  is  pale  green,  and 
striped  transversely  with  darker  green  and  dotted  :  head  and  neck  ted  and  tubercu- 

lated  (fig.  e);  %•/'  P"Pa- 

The  tityrus  inhabits  the  locust-tree,  making  its  habitation  of  the  leaves  drawn  and  kept 
together  by  threads  of  silk,  which  serve  also  for  its  transformation  :  it  feeds  on  the  leaves, 
and  sometimes  nearly  strips  the  tree  of  foliage. 

This  season  (1853),  which  has  furnished  many  other  rare  insects,  this  skipper  has  not 
been  common. 

Pamphila  phylcexjs. 
Upper  side  :  Thorax  and  abdomen  yellowish  olive.  Superior  wings  tawny  yellow,  mar- 
gined with  a  black  toothed  border  :  three  dark  brown  spots  traverse  the  wing,  the 
outer  corner  one  coalescing  with  the  border.  Inferior  wings  yellow,  subangulated  : 
margin  with  a  dark  brown  border,  sharply  indented  :  anal  angle  truncate.  Beneath, 
the  wings  are  paler,  marked  with  brown  somewhat  triangular  and  lined  spots  :  one 
elongated  spot  near  the  shoulders.  Expansion  of  wing,  1 1  inches.  The  caterpillar 
feeds  upon  the  panic  and  buffalo  grasses. 
This  is  a  very  common  butterfly  in  Western  Massachusetts,  in  August,  in  meadows. 


316  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Chrysophanus  phleas.     Copper  Butterfly.  (  Plate  xlvi,  lig.  4.) 

Color  copper-red  above.  ForewiDgs  margined  with  black  :  area  of  the  disc  marked  with 
six  or  seven  oblong  black  spots.  Hindwings,  disc  and  base  dusky  black  :  posterior 
margin  red,  trimmed  with  about  six  black  spots,  and  furnished  with  short  tails.  Be- 
neath :  Forewings,  the  disc  is  orange  or  cupreous  orange,  spotted  with  black,  and 
piargined  with  ash.  Hindwings,  base  and  disc  ash,  spotted  or  dotted  with  black,  and 
bordered  with  faint  copper-red. 
Common  at  midsummer  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  and  Western  Massachusetts. 

Hesperia  peckius  (Kirbj').     PecWs  Hesperia.  (Plate  xxxii,  fig.  8."> 

Color  brown,  paler  beneath.  Both  pair  of  wings  widely  bordered  with  brown  :  area  of  the 
discs  bright  yellow,  with  a  band  of  brown  extending  outwards  from  the  base,  ciliate ; 
cilise  fuscous.     Beneath,  the  area  of  the  discs  is  occupied  with  yellow  patches,  ir- 
regular in  form  ;  that  upon  the  hindwing  is  usually  double.  The  body  is  clothed  with 
long  yellowish  brown  hairs,  especially  upon  the  breast. 
There  is  considerable  diversity  in  the  form  or  shape  of  the  yellow  patches  on  the  discs  : 
in  some,  the  whole  area  of  the  disc  of  the  forewings  is  yellow.  It  is  very  probable,  how- 
ever, that  this  may  prove  a  species  distinct  from  the  peckius.  The  latter  is  common  in  fields 
in  Western  Massachusetts  and  Eastern  New-York,  in  July. 

'•Spliingidae. 

HAWKMOTHS. 

This  family  of  Lepidoptera  has  received  the  special  attention  of  naturalists  from  Linn^us- 
down  to  the  present  time.  They  fly  with  great  strength  and  vigor,  with  a  bird-like  motion 
of  their  wings  ;  and  are  capable  of  sustaining  their  flight  for  a  long  time,  and  of  poising 
themselves  in  the  air  like  the  hummingbird  while  sucking  the  nectar  of  flowers.  The 
tongue  is  coiled  compactly  when  not  in  use,  and  frequently  exceeds  the  body  in  length. 
The  antennae  are  prismatic,  presenting  in  a  cross  section  the  segment  of  a  circle  on  one 
side,  while  others  are  formed  by  two  curved  lines  meeting  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  an 
edge  on  the  opposite  side  :  it  often  terminates  in  a  feather-like  tuft.  The  labial  palpi  are 
broad  and  compressed ;  but  the  labrum  and  mandibles  are  rudimentary,  as  they  are  not 
required  for  taking  food. 

The  larvje  are  naked,  cylindrical,  and  supplied  with  sixteen  feet,  and  ordinarily  a  horn 
is  placed  on  the  eleventh  segment  of  the  body  :  they  are  commonly  ornamented  with 
oblique  stripes  on  the  sides.  They  usually  descend  into  the  earth  when  their  transformation 


FAMILY    SPHINGID^.  217 

is  about  to  take  place.  The  pupa  too  will  be  found  naked,  and  sometimes  an  appendage 
exists  in  the  form  of  a  bent  hook,  like  the  handle  of  a  pitcher  :  this  is  a  distinct  case, 
and  contains  the  tongue.  Where  this  organ  is  short,  the  appendage  is  absent.  The  wings 
are  generally  covered  with  scales  ;  but  in  some  cases  they  are  transparent,  as  in  the  Sesia, 
from  the  absence  of  scales. 

Many  of  the  larvse,  when  not  engaged  in  feeding,  iix  themselves  by  the  hindlegs,  and, 
elevating  their  bodies  at  a  considerable  angle,  remain  stiffly  fixed  in  that  position  for 
houi's  :  in  color  and  position,  they  then  resemble  a  broken  twig  of  the  bush  upon  which 
they  have  been  feeding  ( See  Plate  xxxvi,  fig.  a). 

The  hummingbird  moths,  or  sphinges,  fly  in  the  early  morning,  or  in  the  dusk  of  the 
evening,  when  they  visit  the  garden  or  the  wild  flowers  of  hedges,  flitting  rapidly  from 
one  blossom  to  another,  and  poising  themselves  with  the  utmost  ease  by  the  rapid  motion 
of  their  wings,  which  are  long  and  pointed,  but  of  unequal  expanse,  the  forewing  being 
the  longest.  Their  bodies  are  thick  and  robust,  and  frequently  pointed  behind ;  or  else 
they  terminate  in  a  fan-like  tail,  as  in  the  Sesi.k. 

There  is  a  diversity  in  habit  in  this  family,  as  in  all  others  :  while  some  fly  swift,  others 
are  slow  and  sluggish  in  their  flight ;  and  while  some  prefer  the  twilight  of  the  morning 
or  evening,  others  take  the  wing  only  during  the  day.  The  Smerinthus  has  a  slow  heavy 
flight,  and  flies  only  in  the  night ;  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  takes  food  in  the  imago 
state,  as  its  tongue  is  too  short  to  be  useful  for  that  purpose.  When  at  rest,  the  wings  are 
horizontal  or  a  little  inclined  ;  and  the  posterior  have  an  apparatus  consisting  of  a  setiform 
process  at  its  base,  which  passes  through  a  hook  to  the  anterior,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
gulating the  extent  of  their  motion. 

This  family  contains  but  few  genera,  which  may  be  indicated  by  observing  the  following 
characters  : 

1.  Smerinthus  :  Wings  more  or  less  angulated  ;  flight  heavy  :  tongue  very  short.  :  antennas  in  the 

males  biciliate  beneath. 

2.  Sphinx  :  Tongue  long  :  wings  entire,  acute  :  labial  palpi  robust  :  antennas  not  elavate. 

3.  Deilephila  :  Antennae  elavate. 

4.  Sesia  :  Wings  partially  clear  and  transparent  :  abdomen  terminates  in  a  short  flat  brush. 

5.  Philampilus  :  Wings  subfalcate  ;  inner  margin  sinuous. 

6.  Chcerocampa  :  Antennae  short,  arcuated,  terminating  in  a  long  slender  hook  :  margins  of  the 

wings  sinuate  ;  hind-angle  angulated. 

7.  Ceratocampa  :  Antennae  in  the  males  with  distinct  joints,  doubly  bipectinated  :  wings  entii-e. 

Larva  with  horns  upon  the  shoulders. 


[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  28 


218  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

Sphinx  brontes  (Drury).  (Plate  si,  fig.  1.) 

Antennse  white  within  and  brown  on  the  outside,  and  tapering  to  a  hooked  bristleform 
point.  Upper  side,  fuscous  and  clouded,  but  traversed  transversely  by  two  or  three 
sets  of  black  crinkled  lines,  the  outer  one  forked  at  the  outer  angle  of  the  anterior 
wing,  having  the  shape  of  the  letter  U  :  disc  of  the  wing  dirty  yellow,  and  marked 
with  a  white  spot.  Posterior  wings,  outer  half  brown  ;  base  gray  :  the  brown  part  is 
traversed  obliquely  by  a  curved  gray  line.  Head  and  neck  dark  brown  ;  thorax  and 
abdomen  gray  :  the  rings  marked  on  each  side  of  the  median  line  by  narrow  black 
bars.  Under  side  :  Breast  white ;  abdomen  white,  marked  by  four  reddish  spots 
placed  along  the  middle  ;  posterior  wings  dark  gray  brown,  but  gray  upon  the  corners 
and  abdominal  edges ;  cilise  white  and  brown  (  Drury,  Plate  xxix,  fig.  4). 

Sphinx  octomaculatus.  ( Plate  xxxviii,  fig.  2.) 

Color  black.  Fore  wings  marked  with  two  oblong  yellow  spots ;  hind  wings  with  white 

spots  :  thorax  has  also  yellow  spots.  Rings  on  the  upper  side  of  the  abdomen  white  ; 

extremity  black. 

This  insect  makes  its  appearance  very  early,  and  feeds  upon  the  tender  leaves  of  the 

grape-vine  :  its  larva  goes  into  the  ground,  where  its  transformations  are  completed. 

Sphinx  cauolinus.  (Plate  xlii,  fig.  10.) 

Color  gray,  grayish  brown.  Forewings  marked  with  narrow  zigzag  bands,  and  with  white 

spots,  one  at  the  base, and  a  small  central  one  :  hindwings  banded.  Abdomen  marked 

with  two  rows  of  orange-yellow  spots,  five  in  each  row.    Expanse  of  wing  from  three 

to  four  inches. 

Sphinx  cwnvolvuli.     Potato  Hawkmoth. 
This  species  has  eight  transverse  bands  upon  the  abdomen  :  the  ground-color  is  red- 
dish. Its  posterior  wings  are  marked  with  oblique  black  bands.  The  larva  feeds  upon  the 
sweet-potato  vine. 

Sphinx  chionanthi.     Fringetree  Moth. 
This  moth  has  three  yellowish  round  spots  on  each  side  of  the  abdomen.  The  larva  is 
greenish  yellow,  and  is  marked  obliquely  with  black  and  yellow  on  the  sides. 

Sphinx  vitis.      Vine  Hawkmoth. 
Wings  margined  with  red,  and  marked  with  yellow  stripes  :  two  interrupted  stripes  on 
the  back,  and  several  transverse  on  the  abdomen. 


-sx 


FAMILY   SPHINGID^.  219 

Sphinx  ?  (Plate  xlv,  fig.  9.) 

Forewings  subfalcate,  and  sinuate  upon  the  anal  margin.  Color  of  body  and  wings  buff"  of 
various  shades.  Antennse  strongly  and  doubly  pectinated.  Forewings  banded  ;  inner 
margin  marked  with  a  quadrate  lu-own  spot.  Beneath  banded  :  middle  of  the  hind- 
wing  marked  transversely  with  a  light  ferruginous  band. 
This  species  I  obtained  at  Williamstown  ( Massachusetts).  It  is  closely  allied  to  the 
Philampelus  in  the  form  of  the  forewing  :  the  abdomen,  however,  is  terminated  by  a  short 
brush  as  represented  in  the  figure.  I  have  been  unable  to  refer  it  to  a  described  species. 

Sphinx  cinerea. 
Wings  greatly  elongated  and  narrow.  Color  gray,  and  the  forewings  dashed  with  black 
lines  :  there  is  a  black  spot  at  the  base,  Hindwings  gray,  and  banded  with  black  ;  the 
bands  are  broad,  transverse,  and  towards  the  outer  margin.  Margin  of  the  abdomen 
marked  with  alternate  bands  of  black  and  white  :  abdomen  more  pointed  than  in  the 
b-maculatus.  Back  gray,  without  spots,  but  marked  with  a  longitudinal  line  along  the 
middle. 

Sphinx  quinquemaculatcjs. 
Forewings  gray  :  area  of  the  disc  darker  than  the  margin.  Hindwings  gray,  and  marked 
with  four  black  zigzag  lines,  the  outer  broadest ;  the  next  is  a  zigzag  line  :  the  basal 
is  scarcely  more  than  a  spot.  Abdomen  broad  at  the  base,  upon  which  there  are  black 
and  white  bands  :  margins  ornamented  with  four  or  five  yellow  spots,  alternating 
with  black  bands  and  square  spots.     Expanse  of  wing,  3  -  3i  inches. 
The  pupa-case  is  brown,  and  furnished  with  a  long  curved  handle  which  encloses  the 
tongue.  This  is  the  common  potato-moth^  the  larva  of  which  descends  into  the  earth  to 
transform,  where  it  forms  a  rounded  smooth  chamber  with  its  sides.  The  larva  is  green, 
and  marked  with  oblique  whitish  stripes  upon  the  body  :  it  is  also  furnished  with  a  horn 
placed  posteriorly, 

Philampelus  satellitia.  (  Plate  xlv,  fig.  5.) 

Color  above  light,  and  marked  with  spots  of  dark  olive.  Head  light  olive,  with  two  spots 
of  light  olive  on  the  front  of  the  thorax  ;  below  which  is  a  large  angular  spot  of  dark 
olive,  which  extends  to  the  base  of  the  forewing,  and  forms  an  abbreviated  band. 
Back  of  the  thorax  there  is  a  transverse  band,  which  connects  itself  with  a  dark  hairy 
olive  spot  upon  the  base  of  the  hindwings.  The  basal  half  of  the  margin  of  the  fcre- 
wings  light  olive,  clouded,  and  extending  itself  to  near  the  posterior  margin,  where 
it  meets  a  darker  submarginal  band,  the  latter  extending  to  the  apex,  and  banded 


220  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

inwardly  by  wavy  lines  of  olive  and  flesh-color  :  outer  half  olive,  but  marked  with 
transverse  abbreviated  lines  of  darker.  Apical  area  has  a  patch  of  llesh-color,  but 
branched  so  as  to  include  a  costal  spot  of  olive  :  posterior  margin  olive,  and  the  olive 
marked  with  wavy  bands.  Hindwings  marked  with  a  row  of  submarginal  olive  spots. 
The  conspicuous  dark  olive  spot  near  the  body  has  been  noticed  :  there  are  aho  al- 
ternating abbreviated  transverse  lines  of  olive  and  tlesh-color  near  the  inner  margin. 
Beneath  buff  or  fuscous,  traversed  by  narrow  bands  or  lines  :  posterior  margin  darker. 
Expanse  of  wing  about  four  inches. 
This  is  not  an  uncommon  species  in  New- York  and  Western  Massachusetts.  The  larvse 

feed  upn  the  grapevine,  and  hence  Dr.  Harris  has  given  the  generic  name  Philampelus, 

'  I  love  the  vine.'  They  also  feed  upon  the  Ampclopsis. 

The  larva  may  be  known  by  the  recurved  slender  horn  of  the  back  when  immature, 

but  which  is  lost  at  the  last  moulting,  leaving  a  smooth  cyelike  spot.  Color  pale  green  : 

sides  marked  with  oval  cream-colored  spots.  The  head  is  retractile,  which  makes  the  insect 

appear  shortened  and  blunt  before. 

When  mature,  the  insects  are  three  inches  in  length  :  they  are  great  feeders,  and,  when 

in  numbers,  injure  vines  in  proportion  to  the  leaves  consumed. 


Philampelus  (Harris).     Sphinx  pampinafrix?         (Plate  xliv,  fig.  2.) 

Color  olive.  Head  olive,  from  which  proceeds  divaricating  bands  along  the  angles  of  the 
thorax,  lighter  between  the  forks.  AntennsE  light  bull'.  Forewings  banded  :  at  the 
base  olive,  marked  with  a  costal  spot  of  flesh-color  :  middle  band  broad  and  flesh- 
color,  with  a  dot  of  olive  :  external  band  olive,  wide,  subbanded  or  marked  with  a 
stripe  of  flesh;  edge  brownish.  Hindwings  flesh-colored,  with  an  olive  spot  or  im- 
perfect band  upon  the  anal  angle.     Beneath,  buif  :  basal  part  of  the  forewings 
slightly  ferruginous ;  the  apical  area  buff";  margin  light  olive.  Hindwings,  base  light 
buff;  outer  half  darker  buff,  marked  with  a  wavy  line  parallel  to  the  edge  ;  edge 
lighter.  Body  beneath  buff'  :  thorax  colored  like  the  base  of  the  hindwings,  and  the 
abdomen  like  the  outer  half,  without  spots. 
Supposed  to  be  a  female.  The  general  appearance  is  much  like  the  satcl/itia,  but  smaller. 
Obtained  in  the  early  part  of  August,  but  does  not  appear  to  be  common.  Its  larva  not 
observed.    Expanse  of  wing,  21  inches. 


Genus  SMERINTHUS. 
Wings  augulatcd,  entire.  Antennse  biciliated  in  the  males. 


FAMILY   SPHINGID^.  221 

Smerinthus  astylus.  (  Plate  xl,  fig.  4.) 

Smerinthus  (  Latroille).  Sphinx  astylus  (  Dniry). 
Head,  tliorax  and  abdomen  rusty  gray-brown.  Wings  cinnamon  brown  :  anterior,  orna- 
mented upon  their  outer  margin  by  three  curved  yellowish  stripes,  situated  between 
brown  stripes  ;  margin  brown  :  posterior  wings  reddish  or  cinnamon  at  the  bases,  and 
marked  centrally  l)y  a  round  black  spot,  the  centre  of  which  is  yellow.  This  spot  is 
placed  upon  an  oblique  yellowish  belt  running  from  the  base  to  the  lower  and  outer 
angle  of  the  wing.  Under-  side  :  Breast,  abdomen  and  wings  cinnamon-brown,  and 
marked  as  upon  the  upper  side  ;  legs  black  :  black  spots  absent.  Expanse  of  wing, 
2^  inches. 

Genus  SESIA. 

In  this  genus  of  the  sphinges,  the  antennae  are  gradually  thickened  towards  their  ends , 
and  terminate  in  a  minute  feathered  style. 

Sesia  pelascus  (Cramer).  (Plate  xxxii,  fig.  9.) 

Color  brown,  with  all  the  wings  transparent  in  the  middle,  terminated  with  a  plain  brown 
border.  Antennae  brown,  if  viewed  from  their  tips  towards  their  base ;  steel-blue  or 
blue-black,  if  viewed  from  their  base  towards  their  tips  :  breast  and  underside  of 
the  palpi  cream-white  :  legs  and  tarsi  brownish.  Above,  the  thorax  is  clothed  with 
olive-colored  hairs.  Base  of  the  hindwings  purplish  brown  :  two  first  segments  or 
rings  of  the  abdomen  light  purple-brown ;  third  and  fourth,  deep  purple-brown  ; 
fifth  and  sixth,  purplish  upon  the  top,  lighter  upon  the  sides  terminating  in  tufts, 
pui'iilish  brown  in  the  middle  and  black  outside  :  the  fifth  and  sixth  segments  have 
one  side  or  patch  of  yellowish  hairs.     Beneath,  abdomen  brown. 

Sesia  fuciformisI  (Abbot  &.  Smith).  (Plate  xxxii,  fig.  10.) 

Wings  with  large  transparent  discs,  trimmed  upon  the  margins  with  dusky  brown  or 
nearly  black,  with  apical  area  rusty  i-ed.  Antennae  black  above,  brown  below.  Thorax 
and  breast  with  the  palpi  clothed  with  pale  yellow  hairs,  and  marked  by  a  black 
stripe  running  from  the  insertion  of  the  forelegs  through  the  eyes.  Four  first  segments 
of  the  abdomen  black,  with  steel-blue  reflections  where  the  scales  are  thin ;  sixth 
and  seventh  clothed  laterally  with  a  patch  of  yellowish  hairs  :  the  terminal  tufts  are 
mostly  black,  with  brownish  yellow  hairs  upon  the  middle.  Expands  two  inches. 
Less  common  here  than  the  foregoing. 


222  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 


Aegeridae. 


(See  Plate  xxvi,  figs.  1,  3.) 
The  peculiarities  of  the  insects  of  this  family  are,  the  translucency  of  their  wings,  elon- 
gate form  of  body,  and  the  absence  or  rather  deficiency  of  scaly  covering  when  compared 
with  the  Sphingid^.  They  bear  some  resemblance  to  the  Hymenoptera  :  their  antennfe 
are  simple,  and  often  terminated  by  a  small  pencil  of  hairs.  The  insects  are  interesting, 
from  the  fact  that  they  are  highly  injurious  to  trees,  especially  fruit  trees.  They  are  fleshy 
grubs  of  a  cylindrical  shape  ( fig.  4),  with  brown  heads  and  strong  jaws  ;  but  unlike  many 
of  the  larvfe  of  this  order  of  insects,  they  have  no  caudal  horn.  They  have  the  ordinary 
true  six  legs,  eight  ventral  feet,  and  two  feet  at  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen. 

The  different  species  feed  upon  different  kinds  of  trees  ;  some  upon  the  currant,  moun- 
tain ash,  etc.  The  most  destructive  one  is  the  JEgeria  exitiosa  of  Say,  which  preys  upon 
the  peach-tree.  The  egg  is  deposited  upon  the  bark  near  the  root,  and,  when  hatched,  the 
young  penetrates  to  the  wood,  when  it  either  continues  its  course  into  the  wood,  or  burrows 
between  the  wood  and  bark  :  usually,  however,  it  proceeds  into  the  soft  wood,  sometimes 
just  below  the  surface  of  the  soil,  at  other  times  above.  In  either  case,  such  is  the  extent 
of  the  injury  inflicted,  if  allowed  to  maintain  possession,  that  the  tree  is  killed.  Probably 
the  peach-trees  in  this  country  have  suffered  more  from  the  ^geria,  than  from  all  other 
insects  put  together. 

^GERiA  EXITIOSA.  (  Plate  xxvi,  figs.  1  -  5.) 

Fig.  5,  female  ;  1,  male  ;  4,  larva ;  2  &  3,  cocoon  and  pupa. 
Color  steel-blue.  Wings  of  the  male  transparent,  and  bordered  behind  with  steel-blue  : 
palpi,  feelers,  edges  of  the  collar,  and  shoulders  yellow ;  smaller  than  the  female. 
Female,  steel-blue  :  wings  steel-blue  ;  hindwings  transparent  :  middle  of  the  abdo- 
men marked  with  an  orange-colored  ring  or  belt.     Expanse  of  wing,  li  inch. 
Mr.  Harris  remarks  that  the  segeria  does  not  confine  its  attacks  to  the  peach-tree,  but 
may  be  found  also  on  the  cherry,  its  larvae  being  developed  in  the  black  knotty  branches 
of  the  tree.  It  does  not  always  locate  itself  at  the  base  of  the  trunk  of  the  peach-tree,  but 
frequently  bores  into  the  limbs,  in  which  case  much  less  injury  is  done  to  the  Avhole  tree. 
The  infested  tree  may  be  discovered  by  the  presence  of  the  dust  and  cuttings  which  the 
larvfe  throw  out  around  the  roots ;  but  it  is  ofteu  necessary  to  remove  the  surface  soil,  in 
order  to  detect  their  presence. 

The  mode  that  is  most  successfully  pursued  for  extirpating  these  insects,  is  to  cut  Ihcm 
out  with  the  knife,  avoiding  the  sound  parts  of  the  tree  as  much  as  possible.  A  wire  thrust 
into  the  burrows  may  destroy  the  laxvte,  without  cutting  the  tree. 


FAMILY   ^GERID^.  223 

The  cocoon  is  constructed  partly  out  of  the  castings  of  the  larvse,  which,  by  means  of 
gum  and  silk,  is  formed  into  a  common  oval  shell  surrounding  the  pupa  :  these  may  be 
destroyed  at  once. 

To  protect  a  tree,  Dr.  Harris  long  ago  recommended  the  use  of  sheathing  paper,  secured 
by  strings  and  matting  to  the  neck  of  the  tree  after  removing  the  earth.  This  paper  should 
be  cut  in  strips  eight  or  nine  inches  wide,  and  fixed  below  the  soil  by  means  of  mortar  and 
fresh  loam.  The  application  requires  renewal  every  sjiring  ;  but  whatever  means  may  be 
adopted,  careful  examination  during  the  months  of  June  and  July  should  not  be  neglected. 
Wounds  that  may  be  made  in  the  removal  of  living  bark  and  wood,  should  be  covered 
with  grafting  wax,  or  something  to  protect  the  surface  from  water. 

The  currant-bush  is  injured  by  the  ^geria  tipulifor7nis,  which  is  not  a  native  of  this 
country,  but  is  of  European  origin.  The  eggs  are  laid  near  the  buds,  and,  when  hatched, 
the  larvse  penetrate  the  bark  and  wood,  and  even  into  the  pith  :  the  stems  become  brittle ; 
but,  before  this,  they  show  marks  of  disease  by  yielding  an  inferior  fruit. 

Dr.  Harris  describes  another  insect  allied  to  the  JEgkria,  the  Trochilium  denudatum 
(  Harris)  :  the  color  is  brown  ;  the  edges  of  the  collar  and  of  the  abdominal  rings,  the 
shins,  the  feet,  and  the  underside  of  the  antennae  are  yellowish  ;  the  forewings  opake,  and 
the  hindwings  transparent.  It  attacks  the  ash  :  this  tree,  especially  the  english  mountain 
ash,  when  jjlanted  for  ornamental  purposes,  seems  to  be  quite  as  liable  to  the  attacks  of 
these  borers,  as  the  peach  ;  and  hence  it  requires  the  same  attention  and  treatment. 

Glaucopis  pholus.  (  Plate  xl,  fig.  3.) 

Glaucopis  { Fabricius).     Sphinx  pholus  (  Drury). 
Antennje  black,  and  thickest  in  the  middle.  Upper  side  black  :  basal  half  of  the  wings 
orange.  Beneath  the  color  is  paler,  but  after  the  same  pattern. 
The  larva  feeds  on  lichens  growing  upon  stones,  and  hence  is  more  common  in  bleak 
stony  places. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


ORDER  XI.     LEPIDOPTERA  (  Continued  ). 

BOMBYCIDES. 

PHAL^NvE  (LiNNiErs).    MOTHS. 

The  antenna  of  moths,  as  has  already  been  observed,  tapers  from  the  base  to  the  apex  :  it 
may  be  simple,  or  plumed  like  a  feather  ;  but  the  organ  differs  much  according  to  sex, 
the  pectinated  antenna  being  more  strongly  marked  in  the  males,  who  are  also  provided 
with  a  sucking  tube  which  takes  the  place  of  a  tongue,  and  is  rolled  up  very  compactly, 
being  sometimes  very  long,  in  other  cases  very  short.  The  palpi  grow  from  the  upper  lip, 
curve  upwards,  and  cover  the  face,  the  tongue  being  coiled  up  between  them. 

The  larvse  of  the  moths  differ  much  among  themselves.  The  number  of  legs  is  usually 
sixteen,  but  some  have  only  ten,  and  some  are  obscure  and  incomplete.  They  differ  too  as 
to  their  clothing,  some  being  very  hairy,  others  nearly  or  quite  destitute  of  hairs  ;  some 
are  smooth,  others  warty  or  spinous  :  some  go  into  the  earth  to  transform,  others  remain 
above  ground. 

In  treating  this  division  of  the  Lepidoptera,  I  shall  follow  very  nearly  the  arrangement 
of  Dr.  Harris.  By  Linn.eus,  the  moths  or  spinners  were  divided  into  eight  groups,  viz  : 
1,  Jlttaci  ;  2,  Bomhyces  ;  3,  JVoctuce  ;  4,  Geometrce  ;  5,  Tortrices  ;  6,  Pyralides  ;  7,  Tinex  ; 
8,  Alucit<z. 

Litliosiidae. 

The  moths  of  this  family  have  slender  bodies,  are  never  very  large,  and  their  wings  when 
at  rest  lie  flat  upon  their  bodies.  The  antenna  are  bristleform  and  rather  long,  and  but 
slightly  feathered  in  some  of  the  genera  ;  in  others,  in  the  males,  there  is  a  double  row  of 
short  hairs  on  the  under  side.  The  tongue  is  distinct,  but  only  moderately  long.  The  hack 
is  not  woolly,  and  the  thorax  is  not  crested.  The  wings  are  often  beautifully  spotted  or 


FAMILIES   LITHOSIIDJE   AND   ARCTIID-E.  225 

speckled  upon  a  wliite  or  yellow  ground.  The  larvae  dwell  in  stony  places,  and  many  of 
them  teed  upon  the  lichens  that  grow  on  the  stones  :  some  feed  upon  grass. 

Deiopei.\  BELLA.     Bcaufiful  Dciojjeia.  (Plate  xlvi,  Hg.  5.) 

Color  of  the  forewiugs  yellow,  traversed  by  five  or  six  white  bands  :  bands  dotted  in  row 

with  black.  Posterior  wings  scarlet,  though  pale,  and  bordered  irregularly  with  dusky 

black  or  dark  brown.  Body  white  :  thorax  spotted  with  black.     Expanse  of  wing, 

nearly  2  inches,  or  1|  inch. 

It  is  found  in  Albany  county  in  midsummer. 


Arctiidae. 

The  feelers  and  tongue  mostly  short  and  thick.  Antenna;  doubly  feathered  :  feathering 
narrow  on  the  inner  or  upper  side,  and  less  distinct  in  females.  Wings  inclined  :  thorax 
thick.  Both  the  caterpillars  and  moths  hairy  or  downy,  especially  the  thorax  and  head  of 
the  moths.  They  are  more  or  less  white,  and  ornamented  with  black  or  dark-colored  spots 
upon  a  white  or  buff-colored  ground.  They  are  nocturnal,  or  fly  only  by  night. 

The  caterpillars  move  rapidly,  and  are  covered  with  hairs  that  spread  out  in  tufts  from 
warts.  They  make,  in  clefts  of  rocks  and  sheltered  places,  rough  cocoons  of  the  hair  of 
their  own  bodies,  interwoven  with  some  fibres  of  silk.  The  chrysalis  is  smooth,  and  its 
joints  movable. 

Spilosoma  acr5;a.     Saltmarsh  Caterpillar.  (Plate  sli,  fi"-s.  2  -  5.) 

Spilosoma  (Stephens).     Phal^na  (  Bombyx)  acrea  ( Drury).     Bombtx  acria  (  Fabiieius). 
Arctia  pseuderminea  { Peck). 

Male,  upper  side  :  Head  and  thorax  Avhite  on  the  upper  side ;  lower  side  yellow  buff, 
embracing  the  wings,  abdomen  and  thorax.  Forewings  cream-colored,  marked  and 
margined  with  many  black  spots  :  hindwings  buff,  and  marked  with  six  somewhat 
angular  spots  ;  the  lower  side  is  deeper  colored.  Antennse  and  eyes  black. 

Male,  lower  side,  buff-colored.  Forewings  margined  with  five  or  six  elongate  black  spots, 
the  posterior  margin  dotted  with  black  :  the  other  black  spots  upon  the  disc  show 
through  the  wing,  and  appear  to  belong  to  the  upper  side.  Hindwings  marked  with 
seven  or  eight  spots  somewhat  lunate  in  form;  one  of  which  is  quite  prominently  so 
near  the  middle  and  outer  margin  of  the  wing,  but  stands  in  reverse  position  to  one 
upon  the  margin.  Abdomen  of  a  buff  upon  the  upper  and  inferior  sides ;  the  sides 
being  marked  with  a  white  line,  which  also  extends  to  the  tip  of  the  abdomen  :  upper 
side  ornamented  with  a  row  of  black  spots,  and  two  rows  that  stand  upon  the  margin 
of  the  white  lateral  line,  and  another  line  upon  the  lower  and  central  part  or  face  of 
the  abdomen. 
[  Ageicultukal  Repoet  —  Vol.  v.]  29 


226  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Female  :  Head,  thorax,  wings,  and  lower  abdomen  white  or  faint  cream-color  :  nppei 
part  of  the  abdomen,  and  lower  part  of  the  thorax  except  extremity,  buif.  "Wings 
spotted  with  black  :  hindwings  prominently  marlied  with  a  black  lunate  spot  near 
the  centre.  Abdomen  marked  with  black  spots  as  in  the  male. 

The  caterpillars  appear  in  the  salt  marshes  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  according  to  Mr. 
Harris,  towards  the  end  of  June,  and  grow  rapidly  till  the  first  of  August,  when  they 
attain  their  size,  which  is  about  1|  inch  long,  and  clothed  with  hairs.  They  then  retreat  to 
the  uplands,  in  order  to  undergo  their  transformation  :  for  this  end,  they  seek  a  sheltered 
place,  and  construct  of  silk  and  the  hairs  of  their  bodies  a  coarse  cocoon,  and  soon  change 
to  a  chrysalid ;  in  which  state,  in  the  latitude  of  Boston,  they  continue  until  the  next  year, 
when  they  are  transformed  into  moths.  The  caterpillar  is  clothed  with  long  tufts  of  hairs, 
which  grow  from  warts,  either  brown  or  black,  or  of  various  shades  of  brown  :  the  skin 
is  yellow,  though  shaded  at  the  sides  with  black  ;  the  back  is  also  marked  with  a  blackish 
line*. 

This  insect  not  only  inhabits  the  coast  or  saltmarshes,  but  is  found  abundantly  inland 
in  Berkshire  county,  and  in  Albany  and  vicinity.  It  is  destructive  of  the  grass  of  salt- 
meadows  ;  and  when  it  retreats  from  them  to  undergo  its  transformation,  it  devours  the 
more  valuable  vegetables,  as  corn,  beans,  and  garden  plants.  The  remedy  proposed  by  Mr. 
Harris  is  to  mow  the  marshes  early^  while  the  caterpillar  is  immature  :  it  is  thereby 
destroyed. 

Spilosoma  arge.  (  Plate  xli,  fig.  3.) 

AntenuER  doubly  pectinated  :  teeth  short  on  the  upper  side.  Color  at  the  base  whitish,  or 

cream-colored  ;  extremities  dark  brown. 
Moth  :  Upper  side  cream-colored,  somewhat  variable  in  its  shades.  Collar  mai-ked  by  two 
black  lines ;  upper  side  of  the  thorax  by  three  blaclc  lines,  widely  separated.  Anterior 
wings  cream-colored,  and  marked  with  many  triangular  spots  :  the  inner  margin  has  a 
wide  line  running  parallel  with  it ;  the  other  spots  are  small  acute  triangles  :  margin 
beneath  pale  fuscous.  Posterior  wings  marked  mostly  on  the  posterior  margin  by  four 
black  spots,  sometimes  only  dusky.  Posterior  margins  of  both  pair  ciliated  ;  and  just 
within  this  border  there  is  a  fuscous  or  reddish  line.  Inferior  surface  dusky  cream- 
colored,  and  marked  like  the  superior,  except  that  the  anterior  margin  of  the  anterior 
wings  is  bordered  with  fuscous.  Neck  covered  with  vermilion  red  hairs ;  throat  black. 
The  cream-colored  abdomen  is  ornamented  with  five  rows  of  black  spots ;  two  upon 
the  sides,  and  one  upon  the  centre  of  the  back.  Femora  red  anteriorly  :  joints  and 
tibicC  black  in  front ;  tarsi  black.  Expansion  of  wing,  nearly  two  inches,  but  variable. 

•  HiKRis  :  lusecU  iDJurious  to  vegetation,  p.  209,  2d  edition.     See  also  7  toI.  Mass.  Agr.  Eep.  8c  Jour.  1S23. 


FAMILY    ARCTIIDjE.  .         227 

The  flight  and  habits  of  this  moth  are  much  the  same  as  those  of  the  S,  acrcea,  uhich  it 
also  resembles  in  figure,  but  is  smaller.  The  caterpillar  is  brown,  with  five  pale  longitudi- 
nal lines,  and  covered  with  long  hairs  growing  from  fulvous  tubercles  :  it  feeds  upon 
plantain,  leaves  of  Indian  corn,  peas,  etc,  and  is  frequently  quite  injurious. 

The  moth  appears  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  and  in  Western  Massachusetts,  in  June ; 
perhaps  earlier.  AVhile  they  are  said  to  be  occasionally  injurious  to  corn  in  the  Southern 
States,  the  insect  is  too  rare  here  to  give  rise  to  much  apprehension. 

EucHJETEs  EGLE.  (Plate  xli,  fig.  11.) 

Phal^na  EGLE  (  Drury).     Spilosoma  egle  (  Westwood),     EucH.arrES*  (  Harris), 
Antennae  slightly  pectinated.  Head,  thorax,  underside  of  the  body,  and  legs  gray.  Wings 
thin,  bluish  gray,  paler  on  the  front  edge,  immature.  Neck  cream-colored  :  tcpof  the 
abdomen  Indian  yellow,  and  marked  with  three  rows  of  black  spots,  one  on  the  top 
and  two  on  the  sides,  each  row  consisting  of  about  seven  spots.  Under  side  :  Tongu« 
spiral,  a  little  longer  than  the  head  :  abdomen  pale  yellow  :  wings  gray ;  margins 
entire. 
Caterpillar  :  Head,  body  and  legs  black,  and  marked  with  a  light-colored  line  on  each 
side,  hairy  ;  hairs  grow  in  short  tufts  from  warts.  The  first  and  second  rings  support 
four  long  pencils  or  tufts,  which  bend  over  the  head. 
The  caterpillars  feed  upon  the  milkweed  {Jisclcpias  syriaca),  and  may  be  regarded  as 
harmless  :  they  are  social,  and,  when  feeding,  their  heads  are  turned  to  the  edge  of  the 
leaf. 

Callimorpha  vIRGu^'cuLA  (  Kirby),  (  Plate  xlvii,  fig.  5.) 

Ccflor  black.  Head  and  thorax  striped  with  black  and  orange.  Forewings,  ramifications  of 
the  nervures  orange  :  hindwings  orange  marked  with  black,  roundish.  Abdomen 
orange  above,  marked  along  the  middle  with  triangular  black  spots  :  beneath  paler. 
Lateral  portions  of  the  abdominal  rings  marked  by  a  double  row  of  angular  spots 
placed  close  together  :  venter  pale  orange.  Expansion  of  wing,  1^  inch. 
This  is  a  common  species  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany  :  found  in  meadows  in  August. 
Figured  in  Richardson's  Fauna  Boreali  Ameriana. 

Callimorpha  parthenice.  (  Plate  xlvii,  fig.  6,) 

Body  beneath  black.  Head  and  thorax  pale  orange,  marked  with  five  oblong  spots,  two 
before  and  three  behind.  Forewings  black  and  orange  :  the  orange  follows  mostly  the 
nerves,  but  transverse  bands  are  sent  otf  so  as  to  form  many  triangular  spots.  Hind- 
wings  red,  mari.ed  with  large  black  patches  surrounded  by  narrow  luteous  rings  j 
beneath  paler  and  more  dusky.  Beneath,  the  rings  of  the  abdomen  are  black,  and  the 

*  £d0U4£I£3,  muaiuug  Jine  flowing  mane  ;  a,  name  applicable  to  catciplllars. 


228         .  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

extremity  pale  and  pointed.  On  the  top  there  is  a  row  of  triangular  spots,  the  apices 
of  which  point  towards  the  thorax.    Expanse  of  wing,  2^  -  2^  inches. 
The  markings  of  the  forewings  are  quite  similar  to  those  of  the  virguncula  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  Albany. 

Callimorpha  EPIME.NIS.  PhalcEiia  e/jmcnw  ( Drury).  (  Plate  xliii,  fig.  10.) 
Upper  side,  black.  "Anterior  wings  ornamented  with  a  single  large  yellow  spot  just  out- 
side the  middle  of  the  wings.  Posterior  wing  ornamented  with  a  large  single  red  spot, 
whose'outer  margin  is  nearly  parallel  with  the  posterior  margin  of  the  wing.  Uneer 
SIDE,  black,  and  similar  to  the  upper,  except  two  additional  straw-colored  spots  be- 
tween the  large  ones  and  shoulders."  Drury,  Vol.  iii,  p.  40  ;  pi.  29,  f.  3. 

Callimorpha  niYLLiRA  (Latreille).  (Plate  xliii,  fig.  8.) 

Phaljena  piiyllira  k  bombyx  (  Drury).    Hypercampa  (Stephens). 
Upper  side  :  Anterior  wings  black.  Cilise  cream-colored.  The  margin  next  to  the  body 
marked  with  cream-color  :  the  outer  half  is  marked  with  a  B.  The  posterior  wings 
are  scarlet,  marked  with  four  angular  spots,  and  margined  with  black.   The  under 
side  is  like  the  upper,  but  with  fainter  colors. 
The  caterpillar  is  marked  with  small  diamond-shaped  yellow  spots  upon  its  back  and 
sides,  emitting  fascicles  of  hairs  :  it  feeds  on  corn,  peas  and  wheat,  and  breeds  most  of  the 
summer. 

Spilosoma  nais  (Stephens).     Phalmna  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xli,  fig.  9.) 

Antennse  black  and  pectinated.  Head  and  body  light  yellowish  brown.  The  thorax  has 
three  black  longitudinal  marks,  and  several  spots  upon  the  abdomen.  Anterior  wings 
black,  marked  with  broad  ochre-yellow  lines  :  cilise  light  yellowish  brown.  Posterior 
wings  light  yellowish  or  ochre-brown,  marked  with  a  faint  black  spot  on  each,  and 
having  a  broad  irregular  border  of  a  dusky  black  running  along  the  external  edges, 
but  very  narrow  in  the  middle  :  wings  entire.  Under  side  marked  like  the  upper,  but 
paler.     (  West  wood  :  Illustrations  of  Drury,  Vol.  i,  pp.  15,  16.) 

Spilosoma  cunea  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xlvii,  fig.  7.) 

"Antennse  pectinated,  black  :  no  tongue  :  head  white ;  back  and  abdomen  ash-color. 
Anterior  wings  white  :  spots  numerous,  of  many  forms,  and  of  a  sooty  black  :  exter- 
nal margin  marked  with  five  spots  ;  those  nearest  the  tips,  triangular.  Posterior  wings 
white,  with  dark  spot  near  the  external  edge,  and  faintly  marked  near  the  external 
angle.  Expansion  of  wing,  one  inch  and  five  lines."  Drury. 
This  moth  has  not  fallen  under  my  notice  either  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  or  in  Western 
Massachusetts. 


FAMILY   ARCTIID^.  229 

Arctia  ISABELLA  ( Hams).     Isabella  Tiger-moth. 
Antennse  filiform,  tawny  yelJow.  Thorax  tawny  and  brownish.  Abdomen  tawny,  deeper 
color  beneath,  and  marked  with  three  rows  of  black  spots,  about  six  or  seven  in  each 
row  running  upon  the  back  and  middle  of  the  sides.  Forewings  tawny,  and  marked 
with  a  few  black  scattering  spots.  Hindwings  nearly  tran.sparent,  slightly  tawny,  and 
marked  with  six  tawny  spots.  Legs  black  or  dark  brown. 
I  have  found  this  moth  in  Williamstown,  though  it  does  not  seem  to  be  very  common, 
as  only  a  few  individuals  are  taken  by  the  ditferent  collectors  here.  The  caterpillar,  how- 
ever, is  common,  and  is  frequently  seen  travelling  across  our  paths  in  autumn,  always 
moving  as  if  in  great  haste.  It  is  brown,  and  thickly  clothed  with  hairs  of  a  uniform 
length,  stifl"  and  short  :  the  hairs  are  black  on  the  first  four  and  two  last  rings.  On  being 
taken  up  or  touched,  it  rolls  itself  up.  It  feeds  upon  sundry  kinds  of  herbs,  but  it  is  not 
to  be  ranked  among  the  decidedly  injurious  insects. 

Arctia  virginica.      White  Miller,  or  Virginia  Ermine-moth. 
Color  white.  Forewings  marked  with  a  black  point,  and  two  black  dots  on  the  hindwings. 
Abdomen  marked  with  three  rows  of  black  dots,  one  on  the  top  of  the  head,  the  two 
others  upon  the  sides,  between  which  there  is  a  yellow  stripe.  Thighs  of  the  forelegs 
ochre-yellow. 

Arctia  (^var.  of  virginica). 

The  wings  of  this  moth  are  entirely  white,  except  that  the  hindwings  have  two  black 
dots  upon  the  underside,  and  one  at  the  base  of  the  forewings.  The  abdomen  is  ochreous, 
with  the  three  rows  of  black  dots,  and  a  broad  belt  of  ochre-yellow  between. 

The  Arctia  figured  on  Plate  xlv,  fig.  4,  may  also  be  a  variety  of  the  virginica^  but  its 
abdomen  is  white. 

Arctia  virgo.     American  Tiger-moth.  (  Plate  xli,  figs.  3  &  4.) 

Wings  deflexed  :  color  pink-red,  with  two  central  triangular  black  spots ;  spots  above 
and  below,  angular,  oblong  :  near  the  posterior  margin,  a  thick  black  mark  extending 
nearly  its  whole  length ;  outer  margin  bordered  with  a  fine  black  line.  There  are 
twelve  black  angular  spots  in  each  wing,  the  smallest  upon  the  upper  and  outer  angle. 
Secondaries  yellow  and  red  :  in  the  male,  the  black  dots  large,  and  arranged  some- 
what in  the  form  of  a  triangle.  The  spots  near  the  anterior  margin  have  quite  a  small 
one  between  them.  The  female  has  about  nine  black  spots  on  the  posterior  and  middle 
half  of  the  wing. 
Caterpillar  brown,  with  four  yellow  or  yellowish  white  and  green  stripes,  interrupted 
with  paler  brown,  upon  each  bulging  ring,  and  ornamented  with  a  double  row  of 
round  dots  ;  below  which,  upon  the  sides,  there  springs  a  heavy  brush  of  brown  hairs 
arranged  in  a  thick  pencil. 


230  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

This  insect  feeds  upon  corn  and  a  variety  of  other  plants,  as  the  plantain,  peas,  etc. 
when  the  corn  is  young,  its  feeding  is  injurious  to  the  plant. 


Liparidae. 


Antennae  doubly  pectinate,  short,  and  bent.  In  the  males,  the  teeth  are  longer  than  those 
of  the  females,  which  are  also  narrow.  Feelers  hairy,  like  those  of  the  arctiidce,  but 
longer.  Tongue  short  and  invisible.  Females  :  Body  thicii,  and  furnished  with  only 
rudiments  of  wings.     Males  :  Body  slender ;  wings  broad. 

These  singular  moths  are  hairy  like  the  arctians  ;  but  the  female,  being  wingless,  is 
always  found  upon  or  near  the  cocoon  from  which  she  has  escaped,  and  hovering  around 
her  is  the  male  or  mate.  When  at  rest,  the  forelegs  are  extended  considerably  forward  ; 
while  the  wings,  sloping  but  little,  are  folded  together  over  the  back. 

Some  of  the  females  of  this  family  are  provided  with  wings,  though  only  imperfectly, 
as  they  fly  but  sluggishly.  The  males  are  dim-nal,  and  fly  during  the  day  in  search  of  the 
females. 

The  caterpillars  are  also  peculiar,  being  half  naked ;  and  the  covering  of  the  remaining 
portion  consists  of  long  tufts  of  hairs  growing  from  the  sides  of  the  body,  and  from  warts, 
of  which  there  are  some  six  or  eight.  Some  have  four  or  five  thick  tufts  of  hair  upon  the 
back,  cut  short  and  even ;  and  from  the  extremities,  or  from  the  first  ring,  two  beautiful 
tufts  of  long  hair  project  forward  in  the  form  of  feelers. 

These  caterpillars  are  called  tussocks,  from  the  tufts  upon  their  backs.  They  resort  to 
trees  and  vines  of  different  kinds,  and  feed  upon  their  leaves.  Their  cocoons  are  oval,  thin, 
and  made  of  silk  interwoven  with  the  hair  of  their  bodies.  They  are  more  or  less  injurious 
to  vegetation  :  indeed  some  of  them  inflict  fatal  injuries  upon  fruit-trees. 


Orgyia  leucostigma.     Pale  Emperor  Moth.     (  Plate  xxxvii,  figs.  I  k  a,b,  c  :  female.) 

Antennae  of  the  males  brown  upon  two-thirds  of  the  posterior  part,  whitish  upon  their 
anterior  margin.  The  markings  are  two  transverse  waved  lines  and  one  white  towards 
the  base,  with  four  thick  dashes  towards  the  outer  angle  :  there  is  also  a  white  an- 
gular spot  upon  the  middle  of  tlie  posterior  margin.  Secondaries  brown  and  black 
upon  the  nervures,  and  margined  with  a  lighter  shade  of  brown. 

Female  wingless,  or  with  only  rudiments  of  wings  :  color  ash  or  brownish  ash  :  abdomen 
large. 

Caterpillar  cream-colored,  longitudinally  banded  with  brown,  and  black  upon  the  back. 
Head  red,  with  two  large  jointed  pfeucil-shaped  tufts  of  hairs  upon  the  posterior  pait 


FAMILY   SATURNIADiE.  231 

of  the  head,  and  one  of  equal  length  upon  the  posterior  extremity.  It  is  also  orna- 
mented with  four  equal  cut  brushes  of  hair  upon  its  back,  situated  upon  tlie  anterior 
half  of  tlie  body,  and  is  fringed  along  its  abdomen  and  extremities  with  long  hairs. 
This  caterpillar  is  common  here  in  the  spring,  and  feeds  ujion  the  leaves  of  the  oak  and 
the  horse-chestnut. 


Saturniadae. 

BOMBYCID.E  (Stephens). 

The  caterpillars  of  this  family  are  naked,  cylindrical,  and,  as  Mr.  Harris  describes  them, 
have  hunched  backs.  They  are  furnished  with  warts,  which  are  often  bristled,  and  may 
be  either  simple  or  compound  in  form.  They  construct  a  cocoon  of  silk,  which  is  placed 
within  a  single  leaf,  or  else  within  several  drawn  together  so  as  to  form  a  partial  protection 
against  the  outside  ;  or  sometimes  they  are  fastened  longitudinally  to  a  twig  liy  gummy 
matter.  They  are  unlike  the  pupa-cases  of  the  Papiliones,  which  are  angular,  spinous,  and 
suspended  by  a  short  thread  with  tlie  head  downwards. 

The  autenuEe  of  the  moths  are  strongly  and  doubly  pectinated,  especially  in  the  males, 
and  their  bodies  are  tliickly  covered  with  a  dense  mat  of  hairs  or  wool.  The  tongue  is 
rarely  visible.  The  wings,  when  the  moth  is  at  rest,  are  extended  horizontally  so  as  to 
exhibit  botlTpair  :  they  are  also  destitute  of  hooks.  The  wings  are  commonly  ornamented 
by  one  or- more  conspicuous  eyelike  spots. 

The  insects  shun  the  broad  daylight  :  their  eggs  are  large  and  numerous  :  their  cocoons 
are  composed  of  a  strong  silk,  which  might  possibly  be  converted  to  use ;  and  they  offer 
this  advantage,  that  they  feed  on  the  leaves  of  the  common  forest-trees,  and  hence  there 
would  be  no  danger  of  the  loss  of  silkworms  from  an  accidental  scarcity  of  food,  occa- 
sioned by  untimely  frosts,  etc. 

The  Saturuiad^e  may  not  be  regarded  as  specially  injurious  to  the  farmer,  or  to  forest 
or  fruit-trees  :  at  least  the  injury  they  produce  is  small,  compared  with  that  inflicted  by 
cankerworms,  leaf-rollers,  etc.  which  are  far  less  conspicuous  in  themselves. 

The  males  of  this  family,  according  to  Mr.  Stephens,  fly  well,  and  go  abroad  in  the  after 
part  of  the  day.  The  females  fly  sluggishly,  probably  from  the  weight  of  the  abdomen. 
The  wings  are  gray  or  drab,  usually  of  a  neutral  tint;  and  the  ornaments  consist  of  ocel- 
late  spots,  some  of  which  exhibit  the  brightest  of  colors. 

Saturnia  maia.     Corn  Emperor  Moth.         (  Plate  xxxix,  figs.  2,  3,  &  c,  d,  e.) 

Wings  black,  with  a  broad  band  of  pale  yellow  traversing  the  middle,  translucent  and 

thin.  Forewings  marked  by  a  yellow  lunar  spot  near  the  margin  of  the  inner  black  part 

of  the  base  of  the  wings  :  lunar  spot  also  upon  the  middle  of  the  yellow  of  the  pos- 


232  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

terior  wings ;  the  wide  black  border  margined  interiorly  with  dark  gray.  Antennas 
brown,  pectinated  in  both  sexts.  Front  of  the  thorax  yellow,  hairy  ;  hairs  of  a  rust- 
color  posteriorly.  Abdomen  black,  marked  with  three  reddish  rings,  and  the  male 
has  the  last  ring  of  the  same  color. 
The  male  and  female  have  a  very  close  resemblance  :  the  male,  however,  is  a  little 
smaller,  and  has  two  tufts  of  reddish  hair  upon  tlie  lateral  parts  of  the  thorax  ;  while  the 
females  are  marked  with  forked  reddish  lines  upon  the  anterior  wings,  which  terminate 
in  the  yellow  stripe  across  the  thorax.  Pupa-case  blacli. 

The  caterpillars  of  this  species  are  of  two  kinds,  or  rather  are  marked  after  two  different 
patterns.  The  head  and  feet  are  red,  and  each  ring  is  ornamented  with  three  pair  of  red- 
dish compound  spines.  These  spines  sting  sharply  ;  and  though  not  at  all  common,  they 
have  been  found  in  an  oak  and  hickory  grove  three  miles  south  of  the  city  of  Albany, 
together  with  the  larva  or  cocoon  of  the  insect.  The  figures  were  copied  from  Abbott  & 
Smith's  Insects  of  Georgia. 

Fig.  2,  female  ;  3,  male  ;  c  and  d,  varieties  of  caterpillar  ;  e,  pupa. 

Saturnia  10.     Corn  Emperor  Moth. 
Antennae  pectinate  :  head  and  thorax  purplish  brown  :  abdomen  ochre-yellow. 
Upper  side,  male  :  Color  indian  yellow.  The  anterior  wings  are  marked  with  two  oblique 
wavy  lines  towards  the  hinder  margin,  a  zigzag  line  near  the  same,  and  several  spots 
arranged  so  as  to  form  the  letters  A  H,  all  of  a  purplish  red  color.  Posterior  wings 
hairy  and  purplish,  red  at  the  base  :  on  the  posterior  margin  there  is  also  a  curved 
band  of  the  same  color ;  and  within  this  band  is  a  curved  black  line,  and  on  the 
middle  of  the  wing  a  black  spot  with  a  bluish  centre,  upon  which  there  is  a  silver- 
white  line  or  dash  pointing  to  the  inner  and  posterior  angle. 
Female  :  Anterior  wings  purplish  brown  or  cream-color  when  faded,  and  marked  in  the 
middle  with  a  brownish  spot.  Thorax  and  legs  purple  brown.  Abdomen  same  as  male. 
Greatest  expanse  of  wing  about  three  and  a  half  inches. 

The  caterpillar  measures  two  and  a  half  inches  when  fully  grown  :  its  color  is  pea- 
green,  marked  on  the  sides  by  a  brown  stripe  edged  with  white,  the  stripe  beginning  at 
the  fourth  ring.  The  surface  is  covered  with  stinging  prickles,  standing  and  spreading  in 
clusters  and  terminating  in  black. 

The  moth  is  hatched  in  July  from  the  pupa,  in  which  state  it  has  remained  through  the 
winter. 

These  caterpillars  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  the  elm,  poplar,  dogwood  and  sassafras,  and 
also  upon  clover  and  indian  corn.  During  a  part  of  their  lives  they  are  social,  and,  when 
they  move,  they  march  in  regular  files. 


FAMILY   SATURNIAD^.  233 

Attacus  LUNA.     Green  Emperor  Moth.  (Plate  xxiv,  fig- !•) 

AcTiAS  (  Leach).     PnALiENA  lcna  (  Linnaeus.) 
Head  small,  white,  encircled  with  a  faint  brown  and  narrow  ring.  Antennae  brown,  pecti- 
nated. Thorax  pale  j-ellow  and  woolly,  ornamented  with  a  stripe  in  front  continuous 
with  that  upon  the  front  margin  of  the  wings.  Wings  pea-green,  marked  with  eyelike 
spots  near  the  middle  :  outer  margin  bordered  with  purple  brown.  Posterior  wings 
prolonged  into  long  narrow  tails  bending  outwards.  Body  covered  with  a  white  wool- 
ly substance,  and  rather  close-pressed  :  legs  purple  brown.  Expansion  of  wing  about 
five  inches. 
The  caterpillar  is  fully  grown  about  the  first  of  August.  It  is  of  a  bluish  green  color 
[wrongly  colored  in  the  figure],  striped  with  yellow  on  the  sides,  and  transvei-sely  also 
between  the  rings  :  rings  marked  by  about  six  small  reddish  or  purple  warts.     Length, 
when  in  motion,  nearly  three  inches  ;  but  when  at  rest,  only  about  two  inches. 

In  feeding,  it  prefers  the  leaf  of  the  hickory,  though  it  may  be  kept  upon  the  leaves  of 
several  of  our  forest-trees.  In  North-Carolina  it  feeds  upon  the  leaves  of  the  liquidambar 
or  sweet  gum,  as  also  upon  the  persimmon. 

N.  B.  In  some  of  the  figures  I  have  observed  that  the  body  and  abdomen  are  colored  a 
light  brown,  the  thorax  and  neck  being  yellowish  white  or  cream-color  in  the  animal. 

Hydrocampa'?  nivalis  (  Harris).     Delta-moth. 
Upper  side  :  Antennae  filiform  and  brown.  Wings  pearly  white,  ciliated,  and  cilia  brown. 
Under  side  white  pearly  immaculate.     Expanse  of  wing  1|  inch. 

Dryocampa  imperialis  (  Harris).  (  Plate  xl,  fig.  7.) 

PHAL.9ENA  IMPERIALIS  (Drury)  ;  p.  imperatoeia  (Abbott  &  Smith,  Insects  of  Georgia) ;  Czrato- 
CAMPA  (Harris,  Catalogue  of  Insects  of  Massachusetts)  ;  Ceroc.\mpa,  Kirby  &  Spcnce) ; 
Lasiocampa  (Latreille,  Schrank.)  ;  Bombtx  (Fabrieius)  ;  Odonestis  (Germar,  Stephens); 
BoMBTX  didyma  ( Pal.  de  Beauv.  Ins.  Lep.  pi.  20). 

Male,  ufper  side  :  Antennse  broad  in  the  middle,  pectinated,  filiform,  naked,  and  curved 
at  the  extremities  ;  in  the  females,  filiform,  naked.  Color  reddish  and  yellow.  Thorax 
yellow,  clouded  by  five  brownish  spots,  the  anterior  one  placed  upon  the  median 
line.  Abdomen  yellow,  each  ring  of  which  is  marked  with  broad  hearttbrm  bands. 
Wings  yellow,  sprinkled  with  brown  purplish  linear  dots ;  the  outer  edge  broadly 
margined  with  brown,  which  connects  itself  from  its  middle  by  a  curved  band  with 
the  basal  curved  band  :  the  connecting  band  curves  and  extends  to  the  anterior 
margin  below  the  middle,  and  borders  it  to  the  base  :  the  basal  band  extends  along 
the  posterior  margin  beyond  its  middle,  where  it  expands  and  encloses  a  yellow  dot- 
[  Agricultural  Report — Vol.  v.]  30 


284  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

ted  patch.  Tlie  posterior  wing  is  marked  by  a  round  spot  with  a  yellow  centre,  below 
which  there  is  a  distinct  transverse  brown  band  :  the  base  is  also  marked  with  four 
roundish  spots,  or  which  appear  to  have  become  confluent. 

Infeiiior  surface  yellow,  sprinlcled  with  elongate  dots  as  above.  Upper  wings  marked 
with  two  round  spots,  the  smaller  above  the  other  :  anterior  margin  bordered  with 
brown  half  its  length  ;  outer  margined  with  a  broad  reddish  band,  and  scollopped 
upon  its  interior  margin.  The  posterior  wings  are  marked  with  a  single  central  spot, 
bordered  with  purplish  brown. 
The  male  expands  nearly  five  inches,  and  the  female  six  inches. 
The  species  is  said  to  breed  twice  in  the  year  :  its  caterpillar  feeds  upon  the  buttonwood 

{Platmms  occidentalism  LiNN.a:us),  oak,  and  sweetgum.  The  caterpillar  is  greenish,  tawny 

green  or  orange  green  :  body  spinous,  hairy,  and  the  second  and  third  segments  armed 

with  two  pair  of  short  rugose  horns. 

Almost  every  season,  I  have  seen  a  few  specimens  of  the  Dryocampa  :  it  is,  however, 

a  rare  insect  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany,  or  in  the  western  part  of  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Harris  has  removed  the  foregoing  species  from  the  Genus  Ceratocampa,  where  he 
had  placed  it  in  his  Catalogue  of  the  Insects  of  Massachusetts ;  and  refers  it,  though  with 
some  hesitation,  to  the  Genus  Drvocampa*. 


Lasiocampadae. 


The  caterpillars  of  this  family  are  hatched  from  eggs  glued  into  a  gummy  substance 
insoluble  in  water  :  the  substance  entirely  surrounds  a  small  limb,  forming  thus  a  thick 
protuberance,  in  which  are  contained  some  three  or  four  hundred  eggs.  These  eggs  are 
hatched  as  early  as  April  or  the  beginning  of  May,  or  with  the  development  of  the  leaves. 
They  immediately  spin  from  their  mouths  a  tent  like  a  spider's  web,  into  which  they  retire 
at  midday  and  evening,  and  where  they  remain  until  the  sun  has  warmed  the  air  the  next 
morning. 

The  caterpillars  are  sparingly  hairy,  and  free  from  warts  :  they  are  social  in  their  habits, 
and  congregate  by  hundreds  in  their  impervious  tents.  They  travel  with  considerable  speed. 

The  moths  are  woolly,  and  their  wings  are  without  hooks  ;  but  the  anterior  edge  of  the 
hindwings  is  turned  up,  and  laps  upon  the  forewings ;  and  when  at  rest,  they  are  inclined 
and  cover  the  back  of  the  insect  like  a  steep  roof.  The  under  wings  project  beyond  the 
upper,  when  closed  upon  the  body.  The  moth  flies  only  by  night. 

The  lasiocampians  are  among  the  most  injurious  insects  the  farmer  has  to  contend  with  : 
they  are,  however,  easily  managed,  and  only  require  attention  and  industry  when  they  first 

*  Habbis  :  iDjurious  loMcta  of  Massachusetts,  p.  309,  2d  tdition. 


FAMILY   LASIOCAMPAD^.  235 

appear  in  April  or  May.  Their  habits  enable  us  to  take  advantage  of  them,  and  destroy 
whole  broods  at  once  :  numbei-s  of  them  retire  in  a  body  to  their  tents  at  stated  times  of 
the  day,  when  both  houses  and  inhabitants  may  be  destroyed  by  one  sweep  with  a  pole 
properly  armed. 


Clisiocajipa  AMERICANA  (Harris).  American  Tent  Caterpillar.  (Plate  xlv,  fig.  1.) 
(  Plate  slvii,  fig,  6  :  eggs.) 
Color  rust-brown  or  reddish  brown,  variegated  with  graj-  especially  en  the  middle  and 
base  of  the  forewings.  Antei-ior  wings  crossed  obliquely  by  two  dingy  white  parallel 
lines  :  margin  ciliate  and  whitish,  Hindwings  without  lines  or  spots  :  a  portion  of 
the  costal  margin  whitish.  Beneath  darker. 

The  caterpillar  has  a  black  head,  and  its  back  is  marked  by  a  whitish  line.  On  each 
side  of  this  white  line  there  is  a  broad  longitudinal  stripe,  formed  by  a  yellowish  ground 
marked  by  crinkled  lines  coalescing  below,  so  as  to  make  a  row  of  spots  upon  each  ring 
of  the  body,  in  the  middle  of  which  is  a  small  blue  spot  :  below  is  a  narrow  wavy  yellow 
line  ;  and  lower  still,  the  sides  are  \-ariegated  with  black  and  yellow  lines.  Underside  of 
the  body  dusky.  The  eleventh  ring  bears  a  small  blackish  hairy  wart,  and  the  body  is 
sparingly  clothed  with  hairs. 

The  caterpillars  come  to  maturity  and  begin  to  leave  the  trees  by  the  middle  of  June  ; 
or,  in  other  words,  they  then  break  up  their  encampment,  and  each  seeks  some  suitable 
crevice  in  which  to  make  its  cocoon. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  injurious  caterpillars  known  to  infest  gardens  and  orchards.  As 
the  eggs  are  deposited  upon  the  trees,  they  are  enabled,  as  soon  as  hatched,  to  begin  their 
depredations  upon  the  young  and  tender  leaves.  We  cannot,  as  in  some  other  instances, 
prevent  the  ascent  of  the  young  caterpillars  up  the  trees,  for  they  are  already  there ;  but 
we  may,  after  the  fall  of  the  leaves,  search  for  the  eggs,  which  are  deposited  in  quite 
conspicuous  rings  around  the  twigs,  and  remove  them  by  hand,  whereby  an  entire  brood 
will  be  totally  extirpated  ;  and  if  a  general  attention  be  given  at  this  period,  an  orchard 
need  never  suffer  from  the  operations  of  this  insect. 

The  damage  that  trees  occasionally  suffer  by  neglect  is  very  great ;  for  the  tree,  when 
deprived  of  its  leaves,  will  die,  or  else  must  put  forth  a  new  crop,  an  alternative  that 
seems  always  to  produce  a  state  of  great  exhaustion,  and  from  which  the  tree  scarcely  ever 
entirely  recovers.  From  this  cause,  when  a  tree  has  been  neglected  for  several  seasons,  and 
consequently  has  become  stocked  with  these  devourers,  it  barely  sustains  itself,  and  soon 
shows  marks  of  old  age  and  premature  decay  :  many  limbs  actually  die  the  first  season, 
and  the  whole  tree  wears  the  appearance  of  poverty  and  distress. 

The  direct  means  to  be  instituted  for  ridding  an  orchard  of  these  destructive  visitors, 
must  be  such  as  can  act  upon  the  whole  brood  while  sheltered  in  their  tents.  These  means 


236  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

are  various.  Some  farmers  blow  and  burn  oif  the  tents,  and  all  their  inhabitants,  with  a 
small  charge  of  gunpowder  :  others  twist  off  the  tents  with  a  forked  stick,  or  a  pole  with 
a  stiff  brush  fastened  to  its  end,  and  trample  the  dislodged  insects  under  foot ;  others  still 
employ  a  swab  charged  with  whale-oil  soap,  a  very  little  of  which  article  will  kill  many 
of  the  insects,  and  compel  others  to  disperse.  Whichever  of  these  means  is  resorted  to,  it 
must  be  put  in  requisition  either  late  in  the  day,  or  at  noon,  or  early  in  the  morning  before 
the  insects  go  out  to  feed.  It  is  also  advisable  to  begin  early  in  the  season,  with  the  first 
appearance  of  the  caterpillars  :  their  tents  are  then  small,  and  a  whole  community  may 
be  destroyed  with  the  greatest  ease. 

To  eradicate  completely  the  tent  caterpillar,  it  will  be  necessary  to  give  attention  to  the 
wild  cherrytrees  that  are  scattered  over  the  farm  and  by  the  sides  of  fences  :  the  cherry, 
it  will  be  seen,  is  a  favorite  tree  with  this  insect,  and  scarcely  passes  a  season  with  entire 
freedom  from  it. 

It  will  be  observed,  that  if  the  foregoing  remarks  are  true,  the  farmer  has  no  need  of 
receipts  to  heal  the  ravages  of  these  insects ;  for,  to  ensure  freedom  from  their  attacks,  he 
has  only  to  examine  his  trees  after  the  fall  of  the  leaves  in  autumn,  for  the  rings  of  eggs 
on  the  small  branches,  which  may  be  removed  by  the  hand  or  a  knife  ;  or  if  this  has  been 
neglected,  then  search  for  the  tents  of  the  young  caterpillars  when  the  buds  begin  to  open 
in  the  spring. 

As  the  caterpillar  grows,  the  tent  is  enlarged  by  the  construction  of  an  additional  web 
over  and  around  the  first,  enclosing  thereby  a  space  large  enough  to  meet  the  demands 
arising  from  increased  size ;  and  so  it  continues  to  add  successively  new  webs  over  the 
old,  which  have  become  filthy,  and  unfit  and  unhealthy  as  dwelling-places,  though  a  few 
of  the  weak  and  more  indolent  remain  still  within  them. 

Attacus  POLYPHEMUS.  (Plate  xliv,  fig.  1.) 

Color  dull  ochre-yellow,  somewhat  clouded  with  black.  "Wings  ornamented  with  an  cyelike 

spot  :  adjoining  their  margins  there  are  two  parallel  belts,  the  outer  one  reddish  and 

the  inner  black.  Outer  angle  of  the  superior  wings  marked  with  a  black  spot,  divided 

by  a  reddish  white  line.  Eyelike  spots  round  outer  narrow  border  black  ;  inner  ochre 

yellow,  surrounding  a  white  centre.  Posterior  wings  are  ornamented  with  a  similar 

eyelike  spot,  but  surrounded  by  a  large  bluish  black  spot  extending  upward  towards 

the  base  of  the  wings  :  inner  posterior  angle  truncate.  Thorax  traversed  in  front  by 

a  narrow  grayish  belt,  and  connecting  itself  with  a  similar  border  on  the  front  edge 

of  the  Aving.     The  wings  expand  to  six  inches. 

The  caterpillar  inhabits  the  oak  and  elm,  and  may  be  found  in  August  and  September. 

The  absence  of  yellow  stripes  on  the  sides  and  transverse  bands  on  the  back,  and  the 

presence  of  a  mark  of  the  shape  of  the  letter  V,  will  serve  to  distinguish  these  caterpillars 

from  those  of  the  luna  moth. 


FAMILY    LASIOCAMPAD.E.  237 

Attacus  cecropia.  (Plate  xliv,  fig.  4.) 

Color  dusky  brown,  reddish  brown.  The  pattern  of  both  pairs  of  wings  is  nearly  alike. 

The  base  is  reddish,  bordered  with  white.  The  broad  middle  is  dusky  brown,  in  the 

centre  of  which  are  lunate  spots,  centrally  white,  but  bordered  with  light  brown. 

The  middle  of  the  wings  is  traversed  by  a  narrow  reddish  white  band,  beyond  which 

there  is  another  broad  dusky  brown  band  ;  in  the  outer  and  upper  corner  of  which, 

there  is  a  black  velvety  eyelike  spot,  marked  by  a  narrow  lunate  line  placed  upon 

the  inner  edge  :  this  outer  border  is  bounded  by  a  distinct  black  waving  line,  beyond 

which  is  a  white  border  edged  with  brownish.  The  posterior  wings,  however,  instead 

of  the  black  waving  line,  have  a  row  of  black  spots  amounting  to  twelve  or  more, 

placed  by  a  dusky  brown  waving  belt  :  margin  dusky  white.    Expansion  of  wing, 

six  inches. 

This  moth  appears  early  in  the  summer,  in  sheltered  warm  places  :  it  is  out  as  early  as 

the  middle  of  May. 

The  caterpillar  is  of  a  fine  light  green  color.  The  second  and  third  rings  bear  two  red 
globular  warts,  around  which  are  numerous  bristles  :  the  seven  succeeding  rings  bear  oval 
yellow  warts ;  and  upon  the  eleventh  ring,  there  is  only  one  large  wart.  The  sides  are 
ornamented  with  two  rows  of  elongated  blue  warts,  and  the  five  first  rings  have  an  ad- 
ditional row  below. 

The  young  is  yellow,  and  marked  with  rows  of  small  warts  upon  its  back.  It  fastens  its 
cocoon  longitudinally  to  the  side  of  a  twig  :  the  cocoon  is  usually  three  inches  long,  tapers 
from  the  middle,  and  is  constructed  of  double  walls  of  silk  separated  by  loose  fibres  of  the 
same,  and  has  a  resemljlance  to  brown  paper. 

The  caterpillar  is  found  upon  several  of  our  fruit-trees  and  shrubs,  but  I  have  never 
been  able  to  discover  that  its  injuries  were  very  serious.  It  is  not  very  common  :  some 
seasons,  however,  furnish  more  than  others. 

Attacus  Prometheus.  (Plate  vi,  figs.  1,  2,  3,  4  ) 

Male,  npfcr  side  :  Color  deep  smoky  brown  ;  the  shoulders  and  basal  parts  deeper  than 
the  borders,  succeeded  by  a  central  band  of  lighter  color  :  this  is  terminated  towards 
the  border  by  a  wavy  line,  beyond  which  is  the  clay-colored  border,  ornamented  on 
the  anterior  wings  by  a  wavy  line,  and  on  the  posterior  by  black  oblong  spots  between 
the  line  and  middle  band.  Outer  angle  of  the  superior  wings  is  ornamented  also  by 
a  black  eyelike  ?pot,  upon  which  there  is  a  lunate  line  or  crescent. 
Female,  color  brown,  deepest  upon  the  basal  parts,  which  are  marked  by  a  curved  whitish 
line.  Each  wing  bears  spots,  sharply  lunate  on  the  anterior  wings,  and  bordered  by 
black  :  besides  which,  the  anterior  wings  are  marked  by  an  eyelike  spot  at  their 
angles,  within  a  bluish  white  crescent.    The  moth  expands  about  four  inches. 


238  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

The  eggs  are  deposited  on  the  twigs  of  trees  in  clusters,  and  are  hatched  in  July.  By  the 
first  of  September,  or  as  late  as  the  middle,  the  caterpillar  acquires  its  full  size,  when  it 
measures  about  two  and  a  quarter  inches  :  it  is  naked,  of  a  green  color,  and  marked  by 
six  or  eight  small  dark  warts,  and  is  furnished  with  a  pair  of  simple  coral-red  spines  for 
the  second  and  third  rings.  There  is  a  short  spine  upon  the  last  ring  but  one,  and  the  last 
is  furnished  with  about  six  short  black  bristles. 

The  lilac  seems  to  be  the  favorite  shrub  to  which  the  prometheus  attaches  its  cocoon, 
which  is  about  an  inch  long,  and  gray  like  paper  :  it  is  attached  longitudinally  to  a  leaf, 
that  serves  to  protect  and  conceal  it. 

This  moth  is  one  of  the  most  common  in  and  about  Albany,  some  lilacs  furnishing  as 
many  as  a  dozen  cocoons.  The  caterpillar,  though  not  perhaps  entirely  harmless,  yet  in 
this  respect  scarcely  deserves  attention.  The  large  moths,  appearing  late  in  the  season, 
after  the  leaves  are  fully  grown,  do  not  seem  as  injurious  as  they  might  be  if  they  arrived 
when  the  leaves  were  expanding  and  tender  ;  and  trees  do  not  sutfer  so  much  from  the 
loss  of  foliage  in  the  early  autumn,  as  in  the  spring. 

Cekatocampa  regalis  (  Harris).     Regal  Walnut-moth. 

"Antennae  short,  and,  in  the  males,  pectinated  on  both  sides ;  in  the  females,  thread-like. 
Wings  without  hooks  :  forewings  olive-colored,  ornamented  with  several  yellow  spots, 
and  veined  with  broad  red  lines." 

This  insect  I  have  not  yet  seen  :  it  is  fully  described  by  Mr.  Harris,  and,  according  to 
his  description,  it  is  one  of  the  finest  and  largest  of  our  moths,  having  an  expanse  of  wing 
equal  to  six  inches.  The  larvse  are  spinous,  but  harmless  ;  that  is,  they  do  not  sting  when 
handled.  When  fully  grown,  it  is  four-  or  five  inches  long  and  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in 
diameter,  and  of  a  green  color  banded  with  pale  blue  transversely*.  It  feeds  on  the  walnut. 

The  moth  is  said  to  appear  in  June,  and  is  more  rare  than  the  Bryocampa  imperialis. 

From  the  old  family  of  BoMByciD.5:  or  Saturnians,  Dr,  Harris  has  separated  the  Cerato- 
campa  and  Dryocampa,  and  a  few  others,  and  has  constituted  a  new  family  under  the  name 
of  Ceratocampad^e,  after  the  name  of  the  chief  genus  contained  in  it  :  the  name  signifies 
horned  caterpillars.  On  the  second,  and  sometimes  also  on  the  third  ring,  these  horns  are 
stiffer,  more  rigid  and  curved,  agreeing  more  perfectly  with  their  definition  as  herns. 

All  the  species  here  referred  to  feed  upon  tlie  leaves  of  forest-trees  :  they  go  into  the 
ground  where  they  undergo  their  transformations,  and  this  without  making  cocoons.  The 
chrysalides  are  notched  or  toothed,  with  the  design  of  assisting  their  ascent  from  the 
ground  at  the  time  just  prior  to  their  final  and  last  change. 

•  HARais  :  Injurious  Insects  of  Massachusetts,  p.  307  -  8,  2d  edition. 


FAMILY    LASIOCAMPAD.E.  239 

Dryocampa  pellucida.  (  Plate  xxxvi,  fig.  1  -  3.) 

a.  Pupa  :  c.  Larva  (Abbott  &  Smith). 
Male,  upipir  side  and  forewings  :  Color  of  the  costal  margin  and  base  brown,  reddish  and 
purplish  ;  in  tlie  angle  of  this  marginal  and  basal  part  there  is  a  white  spot  :  central 
part  clear  ;  posterior  margin  reddish  or  purplish.  Posterior  wings  buff,  similar  to  the 
antenna?,  head,  thorax  and  abdomen. 
Female,  bulf  with  a  white  central  spot ;  outer  margin  paler.  Beneath  buff  and  uniform. 
I  have  a  specimen  of  the  male,  the  color  of  which  is  purplish  buff  without  any  variation 
of  tint,  but  preserves  the  pellucid  wing  with  its  white  central  spot.  The  wing  is  abraded, 
but  still  has  a  close  agreement  with  Mr.  Harris's  description  of  the  pellucida,  which 
certainly  does  not  agree  with  Abbott  &  Smith's  figure. 

Dryocampa  virginiensis.  (  Plate  xl,  fig.  5.) 

Phal^na  virginiensis  (Drury).     P.  pellucida  (Abbott  &  Smith). 
Upper  side  :  Antennae,  basal  half  doubly  pectinated.  Wings  pellucid,  brown.  One  half  of 
the  anterior  wings  darker  upon  the  upper  part,  in  the  middle  of  which  there  is  a 
single  white  dot  :  lower  margin  of  the  posterior  wings  lighter  brown  than  the  basal 
parts. 
Under  side,  the  legs,  sides,  thorax  and  abdomen  are  dark  orange.  Wings  divided  into  two 
unequal  parts  by  a  bar  :  above  the  bar,  the  color  is  reddish  yellow  ;  below,  the  same 
as  the  upper  side. 
I  have  taken  a  single  pair  of  this  species  in  Albany  county,  and  it  is  of  rare  occurrence 
in  this  State,  although  during  the  present  season  (1853)  it  has  been  somewhat  more  nu- 
merous, so  that  siDecimens  have  been  obtained  and  placed  in  several  collections. 

The  larva  is  described  as  being  naked,  striped,  rigid,  and  supplied  with  acute  tubercles  : 
the  second  ring  has  two  threadlike  horns.  It  subsists  on  the  leaves  of  forest-trees  :  the 
moths  were  found  in  a  young  forest  of  oaks  and  hickory. 

The  spring  of  1853  has  been  unfavorable  to  the  growth  and  perfection  of  this  caterpillar  : 
at  an  early  day  they  were  quite  numerous,  but  the  subsequent  cold  weather  seems  to  have 
killed  many  in  their  tents.  I  have  numerous  balls  consisting  of  dead  dried  caterpillars 
inside  of  their  habitations,  which  appear  to  have  all  perished  from  excess  of  cold  when 
about  half-grown. 

Clisiocampa  sylvatica  (  Harris).     Tei^t  Caterpillar  of  the  Forest. 
Head  blue.  First  ring  marked  with  two  yellow  spots  and  four  black  dots  :  the  next  eleven 
rings  are  marked  upon  their  tops  by  a  row  of  white  spots,  and  also  two  small  elevated 


240  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

black  hairy  dots,  except  that  on  the  eleventh  ring  there  is  only  one  large  dot.  Sides 
of  the  back  marked  by  a  reddish  stripe,  -which  is  bordered  by  slender  black  lines  : 
they  have  also  a  yellow  stripe  between  two  black  lines.  Belly  blue-black.  Harbis. 

This  caterpillar  inhabits  oaks  and  walnuts  :  less  common  on  the  cherry  and  apple.  It 
attains  its  full  size  in  June,  and  is  then  two  inches  long.  It  is  also  social  in  its  habits,  and 
constructs  tents  like  the  C.  amcricana. 

The  moth  appears  early  in  September,  and  is  of  a  light  drab,  brownish  or  yellowish 
color.  The  anterior  wings  are  marked  by  two  oblique,  brown,  straight,  and  parallel  lines. 
The  greatest  expansion  of  wing  is  a  little  less  than  two  inches. 

The  trees  upon  which  the  caterpillars  of  these  moths  feed  are  injured  in  the  manner 
represented  in  the  foregoing  sketch ;  and  though  few  persons  are  so  patriotic  as  to  give 
their  services  to  the  puljlic  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  noxious  insects,  much  private 
benefit  would  accrue  from  the  extermination  of  tliese  forest  caterpillars.  To  this  end,  our 
special  friends  the  birds  come  in  aid,  and  rid  us  of  thousands  of  them  :  the  cuckoo,  cat- 
bird, robin,  jay,  and  many  others  feed  upon  them,  and  thus  diminish  their  numbers  very 
materially.  The  murderous  gun  should  therefore  never  be  pointed  at  birds  who  make  it 
their  business  to  serve  us  so  effectually,  especially  as  we  seem  little  disposed  to  do  any 
thing  this  way  for  ourselves  ;  and  even  were  the  disposition  not  lacking  on  our  part,  the 
birds  are  certainly  better  adapted  to  do  the  work,  and,  no  doubt,  if  spared  by  the  fowler, 
would  be  competent,  from  their  consequent  increase  of  numbers,  to  hold  the  increase  of 
insects  so  much  in  check  as  to  save  us  from  serious  danger  from  that  source.  Indeed  any 
man  has  a  perfect  right  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  birds,  on  the  same  ground  that  he 
has  a  right  to  protect  himself  from  personal  harm. 

The  direct  means  for  destroying  the  forest  tent  caterpillar  are  the  same  as  required  in 
the  case  of  tlie  C.  mnericana,  namely,  destruction  of  the  webs  and  their  contents  at  the 
proper  time,  that  is,  when  the  inhabitants  are  at  home. 

Clisiocampa  neustoria.  (  Plate  xxxvii,  fig.  2  -  4,  and  a,  g,  pupa  and  larva.) 

Primaries  of  the  male  pale  sulphur-yellow,  marked  with  two  distinct  dark  brown  bands  : 
the  outer  margin  banded  with  brown,  interrupted  with  two  oblong  sulphur-yellow 
spots  near  the  outer  angle.  Secondaries  dull  brown,  with  a  deeper  marginal  stripe 
parallel  to  the  posterior  margin,  and  marked  witli  deeper  brown  also  on  the  nervures 
running  from  the  base  to  the  posterior  margin.  Female  yellow,  inclining  to  orange  on 
the  primaries,  with  tlie  same  distribution  of  brown  and  brown  stripes  as  in  the  male. 

Caterpillar  green,  with  a  row  of  oblong  white  spots  on  the  back,  enclosed  in  rectangular 
markings  of  yellow,  which  are  formed  by  two  yellow  parallel  stripes  upon  the  sides 
of  the  back,  connected  regularly  with  serrated  cross  bands  :  enclosed  rectangles 
shaded  with  black.  Head  brown.  Body  furnished  laterally  with  greenish  and  yellow 


FAMILIES   HEPIALID^E   AND    NOTODONTIDiE.  241 

hairs,  aud  brushes  on  each  side  of  the  head  ;  when  mature,  two  inches  long.  The  tail 

is  terminated  by  an  oval  spot  surrounded  by  yellow  enclosing  green  and  white,  the 

white  in  the  form  of  a  stripe. 
Cocoon  bluish,  oval,  tapering,  with  eight  rings,  and  dotted  along  the  sides  ;  less  than  one 

inch  in  length. 
This  insect  feeds  upon  oak  leaves,  and  does  considerable  damage  to  the  white  oak  by 
nearly  defoliating  it.  The  caterpillar  appears  as  early  as  the  first  of  May.  It  is  regarded  by 
Abbott  and  Smith  as  identical  with  the  European  insect  of  the  same  name.  (See  Abbott 
and  Smith's  History  of  the  Insects  of  Georgia,  pa.  117,  pi.  59  j  and  the  figures  I  have 
given  are  those  of  Abbott  and  Smith,  from  which  it  Avill  appear,  on  reference  to  plate  xlv, 
that  they  diifer  from  those  of  our  common  orchard  moth  named  by  Dr.  Harris  Clisiocampa 
america7ia.) 


Hepialidae. 


The  antennae  of  the  insects  of  this  femily  become  gradually  attenuated  at  the  tip  :  they 
are  short  and  filiform,  but  never  featliered  at  the  tip  ;  but  those  of  the  males  are  some- 
times doubly  pectinated  at  the  base.  The  tongue  is  either  very  short  or  obsolete.  The 
abdomen  is  elongated,  and  provided  with  an  ovipositor.  The  thorax  is  never  crested.  The 
wings  are  narrow,  but  complicated  and  strengthened  by  numerous  nervures.  The  larvae 
have  sixteen  feet  :  they  are  white  or  reddish,  soft  and  naked,  only  slightly  downy,  and 
furnished  with  brown  heads  :  they  feed  upon  wood,  and  construct  their  cocoons  of  bits  of 
the  wood  upon  which  they  have  been  feeding.  The  chrysalids  are  ridged  transversely,  and 
notched. 

This  family  does  not  appear  to  contain  many  species  in  this  country.  Dr.  Harris  has 
described  the  Hepiolus  argenteomaculatus  belonging  to  the  same  genus  as  the  European 
hopvine  hepiolus,  and  figured  the  same  in  the  Lake  Superior  Expedition  conducted  by 
Prof.  Agassiz,  plate  vii,  fig.  7. 

Notodontidae. 

The  wings  of  the  moths  of  this  family  are  folded,  and  slope  like  the  roof  of  a  house  over 
their  backs  :  they  are  held  by  bristles  and  hooks.  The  antennae  are  rather  long,  usually 
doubly  pectinated  in  the  males,  and  become  narrow  and  short  towards  the  tip.  The  feelers 
and  tongue  are  small  and  short  :  the  body  is  long. 

The  larvae  are  provided  with  toothlike  prominences  upon  their  hunched  backs  :  they 
are  usually  naked,  or  only  downy.  The  posterior  appendages  used  for  feet  are  sometimes 
[Agricultural  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  31 


242  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

modified  so  as  to  exhibit  a  forked  shape,  upon  which  the  soles  of  the  feet  only  are  seen. 
The  cocoons  are  formed  of  silk  intermixed  with  fragments  of  wood  and  bark.  The  chry- 
salids  are  not  notched  upon  the  back.  The  larvfe  feed  upon  leaves. 

PvGiERA  ALBiFRONs.  (  Plate  xxxvii,  fig.  3  -  5.) 

Wings  deflexed  :  primaries  clouded  ;  anterior  margin  marked  with  an  elongated  spot  of 
cream-color  terminating  in  the  outer  angle  and  dotted  slightly  with  brown,  trans- 
vei-sely  banded  with  white,  black  or  dark  brown  :  secondaries  brown,  margined  with 
a  lighter  shade.  Thorax  of  the  male  banded  with  two  distinct  black  lines  joined  by 
two  short  parallel  connecting  lines,  between  which  there  is  a  square  yellow  or  cream- 
colored  or  light  buff  spot.  The  thorax  of  the  female  is  ornamented  with  three  cross- 
bars :  antennae  setaceous,  with  a  terminal  enlargement.  Antennae  of  the  male  1 

Caterpillar  striped  upon  its  back  with  yellow  and  brown  ;  underside  lake,  and  furnished 
with  three  pair  of  legs  and  four  pair  of  proplegs  :  it  is  half  an  inch  long.  It  spins  a 
thin  white  web  between  the  leaves  late  in  autumn,  and  appears  early  in  the  spring  in 
perfect  state,  feeding  upon  the  leaves  of  the  white  and  other  oak  trees.  They  are 
gregarious  when  young.  The  cocoon  is  |  inch  long,  and  has  eight  or  nine  segments. 
The  larvae  of  this  species  feed  at  times  upon  the  leaves  of  the  oak,  and  sometimes  nearly 

defoliate  a  tree  when  they  are  numerous.  An  instance  has  fallen  under  my  observation,  in 

which  a  tree  of  this  kind  was  well  nigh  deprived  of  leaves  by  these  insects  for  two  or 

three  years  in  succession. 

EuDRYAs  GRATA.     Woodnympk.  (  Plate  xlvii,  fig.  8.) 

Forewings  pearly  Avhite ;  basal  half  trimmed  with  purplish  brown  :  outer  margin  widely 
bordered  with  purplish  brown,  the  inner  edge  of  which  is  banded  with  olive,  which 
extends  and  widens  upon  the  posterior  border,  forming  near  the  middle  a  large  patch  : 
exteriorly,  upon  the  border  and  near  the  edge,  it  is  ornamented  with  a  delicate  bluish 
line.  Hindwings  a  yellow  buff,  bordered  behind  with  purplish  brown,  which  does  not 
reach  the  outer  angle,  but  extends  along  the  inner  edge  :  it  is  trimmed  with  silver- 
gray  cllise.  Beneath,  the  forewings  are  pale  bufi",  marked  upon  the  basal  half  Avith 
brown,  but  confined  to  the  costa,  which  terminates  in  two  roundish  spots.  Hindwings 
paler  yellow  buff,  and  marked  in  the  middle  with  a  single  brown  spot.  Abdomen  buff 
brown,  silky ;  the  rings  are  banded  with  lighter,  and  terminated  with  a  zone  of  the 
lighter  buff. 
This  beautiful  moth  is  rare  here.  T  have  taken  it  only  in  Berkshire  (  Massachusetts), 
but  it  exists  in  collections  in  Washington  and  Albany  counties  in  this  State. 


FAMILIES   NONAGRIADJE   AND   AGROTID^.  243 


Nonagriadae. 


TnK  body  of  the  moths  of  this  family  is  long  ;  the  thorax  is  smooth  ;  the  colors  are  yel- 
lowish or  clay-colored,  and  the  forewings  are  faintly  streaked  or  banded.  The  larvte  are 
naked,  long  and  slender,  and  taper  at  each  end  :  they  live  within  the  stems  of  reeds,  and 
feed  upon  the  pith  and  upon  the  inside  of  roots,  and  hence  are  destructive.  "When  about 
to  transform,  they  gnaw  through  the  stem  to  the  cuticle,  which  is  left  entire,  but  is  easily 
broken  through  afterwards  by  the  nymph.  They  are  known  by  the  common  name  of 
spindleworms.  Some  attack  corn,  to  which  they  do  great  injury  j  others,  the  stems  of  garden 
flowers,  such  as  the  dahlia,  etc. 

The  Gortynia  zea  of  Harris  belongs  to  this  family,  and  is  described  by  him  as  having 
its  forewings  of  a  rusty  red,  and  mottled  with  gray  almost  in  bands  :  there  is  also  an 
irregular  tawny  spot  near  the  tip,  and  on  the  veins  a  few  black  dots.  Expanse  of  wing, 
an  inch  and  a  half. 

Another  Gortyma  attacks  the  roots  of  columbine,  and  has  been  named  by  Dr.  Harris 
leucostigtna.  The  forewings  are  tawny  yellow,  sprinkled  with  purple  brown  dots.  ( See 
Harris,  Insects  injurious  to  vegetation,  p.  341,  2d  edition.) 

Agrotidae. 

The  larvse  of  this  family  are  subterranean,  and  come  forth  from  the  soil  to  feed  in  the 
night,  and  return  to  their  burrows  before  morning  :  they  are  called  cutworms,  and  are 
exceedingly  troublesome  in  cornfields.  The  moths  are  usually  brown,  and  sometimes  fly 
by  day,  and  feed  upon  the  honey  of  wild  plants  :  their  wings  are  nearly  horizontal  when 
at  rest,  and  the  forewings  completely  conceal  the  hind  ones  when  closed.  The  thorax  is 
not  crested.  The  antennse  of  the  males  are  sometimes  pectinated  at  the  base,  but  taper  to 
slender  filaments.  The  forelegs  are  spiny. 

The  larvse  are  smooth,  cylindrical,  dirty  white,  and  rather  thick  bodies,  naked  or  fur- 
nished with  only  a  few  scattering  hairs  :  their  rings  are  dotted.  They  change  to  chrysalids 
in  the  ground. 

The  attacks  of  these  larvae  extend  to  many  of  our  most  useful  cultivated  plants,  corn, 
cabbages,  wheat,  buckwheat,  grasses,  together  with  cultivated  flowers.  In  the  maize-fields, 
however,  about  the  middle  of  July,  they  seem  all  at  once  to  cease  their  injurious  work  to 
the  corn  plants. 

It  appears  from  Dr.  Harris's  researches  that  wc  have  many  dilTerent  species  of  this 
family,  all  of  which  have  the  similar  habit  of  feeding  upon  young  and  tender  plants,  and 
of  cutting  oli"  their  stems  just  above  the  soil. 


244  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

Agrotis .  (Plate  xlv,  fig.  11.) 

Color  dusky  browu.  Forewings  dusky  or  blackish,  especially  along  the  costal  edge  :  one 
half  of  the  subcostal  base  is  blackish  ;  and,  beyond  the  middle,  this  dusky  subcostal 
hand  extends  towards  the  inner  margin,  forming  a  partial  transverse  band  :  apical 
and  marginal  area  light  brown  and  silky,  of  the  same  color  as  the  area  of  the  disc. 
Hindwings  white  with  a  pinkish  hue  in  certain  lights,  silky  and  ciliate  :  beneath, 
fjuite  i>ale,  and  without  markings.  Body  dusky,  and  as  dark  as  the  forewings  :  the 
venter  is  slightly  ferruginous,  and  terminates  in  a  short  brush.  Expanse  of  wing, 
two  inches. 
This  is  one  of  the  common  species  of  ^gratis  ia  Western  Massachusetts  and  Eastern 
New- York. 

Agrotis  .  {  Plate  xlv,  fig.  2.) 

Color  mottled  gray  :  thorax  and  head  brown.  Forewings  gray  at  the  base  :  in  the  middle, 
resting  upon  the  inner  margin,  is  a  large  quadrangular  spot  of  a  cinnamon-brown, 
beyond  which  is  a  broad  transverse  grayish  green  baud ;  margin  brown  :  costal  mar- 
gin mottled  with  gray  and  brown,  with  an  intermixture  of  short  slender  transverse 
lines.  Hindwings  smoky,  especially  upon  the  posterior  and  inner  margin  :  costa 
pearly  and  yellowish  white,  beneath  smoky  and  pearly.  Hindwing  beneath  marked 
with  a  central  black  dot.  Expanse  of  wing,  two  inches. 
A  common  species  in  Western  Massachusetts. 

Agrotis'?  .  (Plate  xlv,  fig.  10.) 

Color  of  the  thorax  black,  from  which  a  longitudinal  band  extends  upon  the  forewing, 
reaching  its  middle  ;  the  extreme  end,  however,  is  separated  from  it  by  a  small  space 
of  gray.  Costa  black  in  front  :  outer  margin  banded  transversely  by  two  dusky  white 
bauds,  between  which  are  broader  bands  of  dusky  brown.  Hindwings  pearly  white. 
Abdomen  whitish,  or  of  the  color  of  the  hindwings. 

Is^octuidae. 

The  antennae  of  the  insects  of  this  large  family  are  mostly  simple  :  the  bodies  are  thick, 
stout  and  strong  ;  their  wings  are  of  a  moderate  length,  and  strengthed  by  their  nervures, 
and  their  tongues  are  long.  The  wings,  when  not  in  use,  are  deflexed  upon  their  sides,  and 
the  body  is  clothed  with  scales  rather  than  wool  or  hair.  The  majority  of  the  larvse  of 
the  different  genera  are  naked,  and  have  sixteen  feet,  though  in  some  the  second  ventral 
pair,  in  others  the  first  ventral  pair,  are  wanting  :  they  undergo  transformation  under 
ground,  and  form  cocoons  of  silk  in  which  particles  of  sand  are  often  glued.  The  moth 


FAMILY    NOCTUID^E.  245 

flics  by  night,  and  conceals  itself  during  the  day  :  its  thorax  is  crested.  The  larv£E  are 
solitary.  The  colors  of  the  perfect  insect  are  not  bright,  but  often  have  a  silky  lustre. 

NocTUA  sQUAMULAEis.  (Plate  xlii,  fig.  1.) 

AntennjE  filiform,  brown.  Superior  surface,  basal  portion  chocolate,  outer  portion  slate- 
colored  ;  the  junction  of  the  two  colors  deepest.  The  anterior  wings  are  traversed  by 
two  scollopped  lines ;  the  inner  running  entirely  across,  the  outer  only  across  the 
inferior  half.  Posterior  wings  traversed  by  a  chocolate  band,  apparently  between  two 
black  parallel  bands  ;  the  slate  on  the  posterior  half  shaded  into  chocolate,  or  paler  : 
margin  slate,  and  slightly  deutated.     Expansion  one  inch  and  nine  lines. 


NocTUA  uNDULARis.     Phalccna  undularis  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xlii,  fig.  4.) 

Antennse  filiform,  brown,  slightly  toothed.  Insect  very  dark  brown,  bordering  upon  black. 

Wings  slightly  dentated,  and  obscurely  marked  by  five  or  six  narrow  transverse  bands 

of  black,  imparting  a  very  black  hue  to  the  whole  animal  :  both  pair  of  wings  marked 

and  colored  alike.  Inferior  surface  lighter,  exhibiting  the  same  kind  of  markings. 

NocTUA  MARGARiTATA  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xlii,  fig.  9.) 

Upper  side  :  Antennse  setaceous,  brown.  Thorax  and  abdomen  silvery  white.  Anterior 
wings  silvery  white  at  the  shoulders,  the  remainder  being  of  a  shining  red-brown  ; 
edges  fringed  with  white  :  there  is  also  a  large  silvery  marginal  spot  on  the  outer 
half  of  the  anterior  wing.  Posterior  wings  silvery  white  at  the  base,  and  extending 
over  one  half  of  the  wing ;  the  remainder  brow  nish,  but  margin  silvery. 
Under  side  :  Breast,  legs  and  abdomen  white.  Anterior  wings  silver  gray,  but  fringed 
with  yellow.  Posterior  wings  colored  as  on  the  upper  side,  without  markings.  Drury, 
Vol.  iii,  pi.  21,  fig.  6. 


PHALiENA  quercaria.  American  Oak-heauty.  (  Plate  xxxvi,  figs.  2  &  4,  b  -  k.) 
(Abbott  &  Smith,  pa.  205,  pi.  103.) 
Antennse  of  the  male  pectinated  :  wings  brown.  Male  :  Primaries  banded  parallel  to 
the  outer  edges ;  marginal  black,  succeeded  by  a  waved  cream-colored  band,  which 
is  bordered  with  black  :  towards  the  base  there  is  a  parallel  shorter  band  shaded 
with  brown.  There  are  two  black  central  spots  encircled  with  light  brown,  extending 
towvirds  the  posterior  margin,  and  also  dashes  of  black  lines  from  the  base  outwards. 
Secondaries  banded  with  black  upon  the  margin  and  central  part,  with  a  lunate  black 


246  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

line  towards  the  base ;  broad  radiating  dashes  of  brown  upon  the  nervures  from  the 
base  backwards,  and  reaching  the  posterior  margin  :  posterior  edge  slightly  scolloped. 

Female  :  Primaries  mottled  and  dotted  with  cream-color,  centrally  banded  with  brown 
and  cream-color,  which  has  a  cream-colored  oblong  spot  towards  the  upper  margin  ; 
below,  it  has  waved  black  coalescing  spots  :  upon  the  margin,  two  large  brown  spots 
with  cream-colored  spots.  The  secondaries  exhibit  a  similar  pattern ;  the  brown  is 
placed  upon  the  base  and  posterior  margin,  with  cream  and  black  angular  spots 
within.  Body  brown,  with  a  row  of  spots  down  the  abdomen  :  the  posterior  third  of 
the  abdomen  has  the  sides  cream-colored,  and  spotted  with  buff  or  brown. 

Caterpillar  a  looper,  brown  ringed  with  black  at  each  joint,  the  last  with  yellow,  and 
striped  on  the  side  with  white.  It  is  two  inches  long,  and  has  the  habit  of  fixing  itself 
in  an  oblique  position.  Feeds  upon  the  black  oak  :  it  spins  its  cocoon  on  the  ground 
in  May  or  June. 

Cocoon  brown,  and  about  one  inch  in  length. 


NocTUA  (Acontia)  nundina.  ( Plate  xlii,  fig.  7.) 

Antennae  filiform,  reddish  brown  :  tongue  coiled  spirally  :  head  and  thorax  ash-color. 
Anterior  wings  greenish,  faintly  marked  with  brownish,  and  with  a  darker  angular 
mark  placed  towards  the  outer  angle.  Posterior  wings  silvery  white,  marked  with 
faint  discoidal  spots,  and  bordered  with  a  light  brown. 
Beneath,  the  anterior  wings  are  silvery  white,  indistinctly  bordered  with  brown,  with  two 
dark  spots  just  opposite  the  single  dark  spot  on  the  upper  side.  Posterior  wings  sil- 
very white  :  oblong  brown  spots  appear  as  on  the  upper  side. 


Ekebus  EDusA  (Latreille).     P/wtem  (  Drury).  (  Plate  xlii,  fig.  3.) 

Upper  side  :  Antennte  filiform,  sandy  brown,  deeper  color  towards  the  margin.  Anterior 
wings  ornamented  with  two  large  bluish  white  spots  upon  the  outer  margin,  and 
several  crooked  spots  on  or  near  the  basal  part.  Posterior  wings  marked  with  one 
large  oval  spot  on  the  posterior  half,  and  margined  with  brown  dots  :  edges  crenate. 

Under  side  brown  ;  but  the  anterior  wings  are  marked  with  two  whitish  spots  placed 
upon  the  external  edges,  one  near  the  tip,  the  other  at  the  lower  angle  :  they  are  also 
crossed  by  a  whitish  bar  one-fourth  of  an  inch  from  the  body,  and  a  small  white  spot 
appears  next  the  shoulders.  Posterior  wings  brown,  marked  by  a  whitish  oblong  spot 
placed  along  the  external  edges  :  cilia  brown.  Underside,  paler  beneath,  and  marked 
with  obscure  dark  spots. 


FAMILY    NOCTUIDiE.  247 

Catocala  .  (  Plate  xliv,  fig.  3.) 

Color  grayish  brown.  Head  marked  with  a  white  spot  between  the  eyes.  Thorax  black, 
marked  by  three  transverse  reddish  bands.  Abdomen  dusky,  with  a  reddish  hue. 
Forewings  brown,  marked  with  pale  cinnamon  bands.  Hindwings  black,  marked  with 
two  carmine  zigzag  bands,  and  a  submarglnal  one  more  or  less  interru^jted  :  edge 
dressed  with  carmine. 

Catocala  epione.  ( Plate  xlii,  fig.  8.) 

Thorax  and  abdomen  sooty  ash-color.  Wings  crenate  ;  the  anterior  ones  dark  chocolate, 
marked  with  an  undulating  dark  ferruginous  line  running  from  the  anterior  to  the 
posterior  edge  :  another  line  of  the  same  color  crosses  the  wing  near  its  articulation  ; 
a  broad  dark  patch  occupying  one-third  of  the  wing's  surface,  showing  within  two 
oval  lighter  spots.  The  whole  appearance  of  the  wing  is  nebulous,  exhibiting  broad 
belts  and  dark  and  ferruginous  lines  arranged  transversely.  Posterior  wing  dark  or 
black,  lighter  along  the  abdominal  border  :  cilia  white. 
Infehior  side,  the  anterior  wings  are  dark  ashy  at  the  base,  and  become  black  towards 
the  outer  edges,  but  the  tips  are  soot-colored  :  external  margin  ornamented  with 
seven  whitish  sj3ots,  above  which  there  is  a  white  line  running  from  the  anterior  to 
the  posterior  margin,  and  narrowing  as  it  goes.  There  is  a  large  oblong  whitish  spot 
between  the  line  and  shoulders.  Posterior  wings,  upon  their  abdominal  margin,  ash- 
color,  deepening  to  black  :  a  faint  white  streak  runs  a  short  distance  down  the  wing 
from  the  anterior  margin.    Spread  of  the  wings  2  inches  6  lines. 

Catocala  affinis.     Painted  Catocalla.  (  Plate  xlii,  fig.  5.) 

PHALiENA  (  Linnaeus).  Catocala  (Schrauk). 
Antennae  filiform,  obscurely  serrate  upon  the  inferior  side  :  tongue  coiled,  of  a  moderate 
length  :  feelers  thick,  hairy  and  pointed.  Anterior  wings  ashy  gray,  marked  by  a 
wide  line  or  narrow  belt  of  a  chocolate  color,  running  from  near  the  base  of  the 
anterior  margin  towards  the  outer  posterior  angle,  when  it  becomes  a  zigzag  line 
terminating  in  the  anterior  margin  towards  the  outer  angle  :  outer  margin  marked 
by  obscure  short  lines  of  a  chocolate-color.  Posterior  wings  orange,  marked  by  black 
or  dusky  belts  parallel  with  each  other  ;  the  outer  belt  parallel  with  the  posterior 
margin,  leaving  an  orange  patch  upon  the  outer  angle,  and  dots  posteriorly  :  a  black 
line  runs  parallel  with  the  inner  margin,  terminating  at  its  base.  Inferior  side  marked 
by  alternating  belts  of  orange  and  fuscous ;  margin  and  base  lighter  colored  :  the 
colors  are  all  dull  and  faded  below.  Head  and  thorax  dusky.  Abdomen  dusky  above 
and  light  below.     Expanse  of  wing  1|  inches. 


248  ORDER   LEPIDOPTERA. 

There  seems  to  be  considerable  variation  in  the  size  and  colors  of  this  painted  moth, 
possiljly  due  in  part  to  sex.  In  the  figure  of  Drury,  the  anterior  wings  are  dark,  with 
yellow  marginal  dots.  A  Catocala  found  in  Western  Massachusetts  has  the  dark  anterior 
wings  and  dotted  margin  ;  while  the  moth  is  larger,  the  red  bells  of  the  hludvvings  are 
brighter,  and  the  posterior  margin  is  almost  ciliateand  yellowish  gray.  But  another,  near- 
ly as  large,  is  pale  and  ashen,  and  the  inferior  wings  have  yellow  instead  of  vermilion  red. 
Another  still  is  small,  about  li  inch  in  expansion,  with  yellow  also ;  but  has  the  angular 
spot,  and  other  markings  similar  in  fashion  to  Drury's  figure. 

There  seem  to  be  gradations  both  in  size  and  depth  of  coloring,  which  are  not  sufficient 
to  distinguish  species,  but  may  establish  varieties  ;  but  as  I  have  before  me  only  six  in- 
dividuals, I  may  be  mistaken  in  my  estimate  of  the  importance  of  their  differences. 

Geometridae. 

SPANWORMS,  LOOPEES,  &c. 

The  insects  of  this  family  move  over  the  ground,  or  along  the  branches  of  trees,  in  distinct 
steps,  as  if  measuring  their  progress,  by  alternately  flexing  and  extending  their  bodies  from 
point  to  point.  The  manoeuvre  is  performed  by  first  extending  the  anterior  extremity  of  the 
body  as  far  ahead  as  it  will  reach,  and  then  bringing  forward  the  posterior  extremity  by 
elevating  the  middle  portion  of  the  body,  so  that  the  extremes  are  brought  into  contact, 
and  the  whole  takes  the  form  of  a  loop  ;  and  thus  by  successive  steps  they  measure  tlicir 
route  according  to  the  length  of  their  bodies.  Tlieir  legs,  which  are  usually  ten  on  each 
worm,  are  employed  rather  in  fixing  the  body  at  its  successive  points  of  rest,  than  in  in- 
dependent movements  of  the  feet.  Tliey  necessarily  move  slow  ;  and  as  they  occupy  bushes 
and  trees  in  feeding,  and  must  seek  the  ground  to  undergo  transformation,  they  are  pro- 
vided with  the  apparatus  and  means  of  spinning  a  thread,  by  which  they  are  enabled  to 
let  themselves  quickly  down  to  the  ground  ;  and  in  cases  of  alarm  they  frequently  do  this, 
remaining  suspended  until  the  danger  is  past,  when  they  return  to  their  feeding  by  aid  of 
mouth  and  feet,  seizing  the  thread  above  with  the  jaws,  and  then  drawing  up  the  body  by 
doubling  it  as  before  described.  They  are  destitute  of  hairs. 

When  the  spanworm  goes  to  rest,  it  fixes  itself  by  the  posterior  feet,  and  lifts  its  body 
up  and  sustains  it  stifliy  in  an  angular  and  motionless  posture,  thereby  counterfeiting  the 
appearance  of  a  short  broken  dead  twig  of  the  branch  on  which  it  reposes,  with  the  instinct 
of  eluding  if  possible  the  searching  eyes  and  devouring  beaks  of  hungry  birds. 

To  the  Family  Geometrid^  belong  some  of  the  most  destructive  moths,  particularly 
the  cankerworms.  Those  which  are  injurious  to  fruit-trees  have  usually  thin  angulaled 
wings  ;  but  they  are  wanting  in  the  female,  or  merely  rudimentary,  and  hence  are  very 
unequal  in  this  respect  :  this  fact  gave  origin  to  the  name  anisrpterix,  '  unequal-wings.' 


FAMILY    GEOMETRID^.  249 

Geometra  transversata.  (  Plate  xlii,  fig.  2.) 

Antennfe  filiform,  orange  brown.  Wings  angulated,  dashed  with  short  darker  lines,  and 
shaded  with  about  three  dark  parallel  stripes.  Anterior  and  posterior  wings  marked 
with  a  waving  continuous  line,  beginning  at  the  acute  outer  angle  of  the  former,  and 
terminating  a  little  below  the  middle  of  the  latter  :  they  are  also  bordered  with  a 
narrow  belt  of  a  similar  color.  Underside  of  the  wings  similar  in  color  and  markings, 
except  in  the  brown  waving  line.  Expansion  of  wing,  two  inches.  (  Westwood's 
Illustrations  of  Drury,  plate  viii,  fig.  2.) 

Geometra  serrata.  (  Plate  xl,  fig.  6.) 

Antennffi  setaceous  or  filiform.  Head  reddish  buff-color.  Thorax,  abdomen  and  wings 
yellowish  buif.  Both  pair  of  wings  scollopped,  and  broadly  bordered  with  brownish 
or  deeper  bufl"  :  also  the  same  color  is  found  at  the  base  of  the  forewings,  but  paler ; 
and  a  transverse  band  upon  the  posterior,  with  dashes  of  the  same  over  the  yellow 
part.  The  border  of  the  forewings  is  forked  near  the  outer  angle,  and  the  anterior 
edge  is  ornamented  with  brown  and  white  oblong  spots.  (  Westwood,  Illustrations  of 
Drury,  plate  xx,  fig.  4.) 

Geometra  catenaria  (  Drury).   Chain-dotted  Geometer.     (  Plate  xli,  fig.  10.) 
Phal^na  catenaria.    BtiPALrs  catenarius  (  Leach). 

Antennae  in  the  male  doubly  pectinated,  slender.  Head  orange.  Thorax,  abdomen  and 
wings  white  :  the  former  is  marked  with  three  orange-colored  spots,  and  each  ring 
of  the  abdomen  with  dots  or  black  transverse  lines  ;  the  wings  are  also  marked  by 
two  parallel  denticulated  lines  running  across  them.  The  wings  are  rounded  behind, 
and  margined  with  a  black  dotted  line  having  some  resemblance  to  a  chain.  ( See 
Westwood,  Illustrations  of  Drury,  plate  viii,  fig.  3.) 

Geometra?  .  (Plate  xlv,  fig.  3.) 

Wings  subangulated,  subcrenate  on  the  outer  margin. 

This  moth  I  am  disposed  to  refer  to  the  Genus  Geometra,  relying  upon  the  form  of  the 
wings  and  the  pattern  of  their  ornamental  marking.  The  color  is  cinnamon-brown,  and  the 
white  transverse  band  near  the  middle  is  bordered  by  a  deeper  brown  on  the  basal  side. 
The  costa  is  darker,  being  connected  with  the  transverse  band  already  referred  to.  Hind- 
wing  lighter  colored  at  the  base  than  the  outer  half. 

I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  the  larva,  and  hence  it  cannot  be  determined  whether  it 
has  the  progression  peculiar  to  the  geometridae.  There  is  some  doubt  as  to  the  genus  to 
which  it  should  be  referred. 

[  Agriculthhal  Report  —  Vol.  v.]  32 


250  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Tortricidae. 

LEAF-ROLLERS. 

The  insects  of  this  family  mostly  have  the  habit  of  rolling  vip  the  young  leaves  of  trees, 
either  one  or  more  in  a  single  roll,  and  confining  them  with  silken  threads.  They  are  small, 
seldom  in  the  larval  state  exceeding  an  inch  in  length.  The  moth  is  nocturnal,  small, 
usually  gray  and  obscurely  banded,  rarely  ornamented  with  bright  colors.  The  larvffi  have 
sixteen  legs  each,  and  their  bodies  are  naked,  or  only  clothed  with  a  few  hairs  in  tufts  : 
they  spin  a  thread  of  silk  from  the  mouth,  with  which,  when  disturbed,  they  let  themselves 
partly  down  to  the  ground,  where  they  remain  suspended  until  the  danger  is  past.  The 
moth,  though  small,  is  broader  across  the  forepart  than  in  those  of  other  families.  They 
inflict  serious  injuries  upon  trees,  by  feeding  on  the  buds  and  blossoms. 

L0X0T.ENIA  rosaceana'?     Rose  Leaf-roller.  (Plate  vi,  figs.  8  -  11.) 

Color  light  brown,  grayish  brown,  light  cinnamon-brown.  Forewings  traversed  by  two  or 
three  narrow  brown  bands  :  when  the  wings  are  closed,  the  bands  form  a  quadrangu- 
lar figure  on  the  back  ;  these  bands  are  variable,  as  well  as  the  colors  of  the  moth. 
Hindwings  yellowish  white  or  grayish  yellow.     Expanse  of  wing  about  one  inch. 
The  larva  is  green,  naked  :  head  brownish,  smooth,   glossy  :  rings  of  the  integument 
sheathing  the  head,  yellowish  white  :  six  true  legs,  eight  middle  and  two  prop-legs. 
At  the  extremity  of  the  abdomen,  two  or  three  small  greenish  warts,  which  give 
origin  to  a  few  hairs.  Feeds  upon  plum,  rose,  and  other  leaves  and  Howers.    Largest, 
three  quarters  of  an  inch  long;  sometimes  one  inch,  but  usually  a  little  less  :  the 
figure  is  smaller  than  common. 
The  pupa  is  brown,  enclosed  in  the  rolled  leaves,  and  suspended  by  the  tail. 
This  is  a  very  troublesome  insect.  In  my  garden,  the  larvse  every  year  destroy  most  of 
the  plums  on  a  fine  tree,  besides  checking  the  regular  growth  of  the  young  limbs,  which, 
when  the  biids  are  destroyed,  never  grow  more  than  an  inch  or  two  in  the  spring ;  and  the 
eifecis  of  the  insects  are  also  seen  in  the  knotty  condition  of  the  young  shoots.  The  eggs 
are  laid  in  patches  upon  the  bark  in  the  month  of  June  or  July,  where  they  remain  until 
the  tree  begins  to  put  forth  its  leaves,  when  the  larvse  make  their  appearance,  and  almost 
every  twig  has  been  for  some  years  infested  with  them. 

•  The  best  way  to  deal  with  this  species  of  Tortrix,  is  to  rub  the  bark  of  the  trunk  and 
limbs  of  the  tree  with  a  knife  or  some  other  proper  instrument,  by  which  means  the  eggs 
will  be  destroyed  ;  and  then  wash  the  bark  thoroughly  with  an  alkaline  solution,  or  with 
whale-oil  soap  :  or  if  the  trunk  and  limbs  are  whitewashed  in  the  autumn  or  spring,  just 


FAMILY    TORTRICID^.  251 

as  the  eggs  are  about  to  hatch,  it  will  mostly  destroy  the  eggs ;  and  if  any  escape,  the  use 
of  a  syringe  with  soap  and  water,  will  probably  finish  the  work. 

This  leafroller  attacks  the  rose,  and  several  other  plants  belonging  to  the  difl'erent 
orders  :  it  is  not,  therefore,  particular  as  to  its  food  ;  but  it  efl'ectually  puts  a  slop  to  the 
expanding  blossoms,  whenever  it  makes  its  habitation  in  the  leaves  that  surround  the  bud. 

I  have  referred  this  insect  to  the  species  rvsaceana,  altliough  it  does  not  agree  in  every 
respect  with  the  descriptions  within  my  reach.  It  is  variable  in  its  markings  and  size,  in 
both  the  larval  and  perfect  states.  It  does  not  spin  a  cocoon,  unless  one  is  constituted  by 
the  few  threads  of  silk  it  employs  to  bind  up  tlie  rolled  leaves  with,  in  which  its  trans- 
formation takes  place. 

Carpocapsa  pomonella.  ( Plate  xlvii,  Qg.  4.) 

This  insect  is  a  native  of  Europe  :  it  was  brought  to  this  country  with  the  apple,  and 
has  become  naturalized.  The  moth  is  gray,  but  lustrous  like  satin,  and  is  delicately  streaked 
and  dotted.  The  posterior  border  of  the  forewing  is  marked  with  a  reddish  brown  spot, 
which  is  surrounded  by  a  golden  mark  in  the  form  of  a  horseshoe.  The  hindwings  are 
brownish  inclining  to  yellow,  and  surrounded  by  a  fringe  :  they  are  sparkling  and  bril- 
liant. The  thorax  and  abdomen  are  yellow  and  brownish  gray. 

The  moth  appears  in  the  evening,  having  been  secreted  in  a  secure  place  during  the 
day.  It  may  then  be  seen  busy  about  branches  of  apple  and  pear-trees,  selecting  the  fruit 
for  a  depository  of  its  eggs  :  in  a  few  days,  if  the  weather  be  warm,  they  are  hatched.  It 
requires  three  or  four  weeks  to  come  to  perfection,  when  it  is  reddish  or  flesh-color,  with 
a  brown  head  and  collar.  Before  it  changes  to  a  pupa,  it  leaves  the  fruit,  and  seeks  a  secure 
place  in  the  cracks  of  the  bark,  where  it  spins  its  cocoon. 

Accoi-ding  to  Kollar  and  other  authorities,  two  broods  are  produced  in  a  single  season. 
The  first  pupa  changes  to  a  perfect  insect  in  a  short  time,  and,  by  the  last  of  j^ugust,  much 
fruit  will  be  injured.  If  the  weather  and  season  be  favorable,  numerous  insects  of  this 
kind  will  come  to  perfection,  and  the  quantity  of  fruit  injured  will  be  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  insects  hatched  from  the  eggs  of  the  first  brood. 

The  means  to  be  adopted  for  diminishing  the  numbers  of  this  moth,  are  mostly  of  the 
palliative  kind.  It  is  evident  that  all  infected  fruit  should  be  immediately  gathered  and 
destroyed.  The  tree  should  be  shaken,  that  all  diseased  fruit  may  fall  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  before  the  larva  leaves  it  to  change  into  the  pupa  state.  The  defective  fruit  may  be 
picked,  removed  and  scalded,  and  fed  to  swine.  It  is  obvious  that  the  nearest  approach  to 
the  extirpation  of  this  injurious  insect  will  happen  when  cultivators  of  apples  and  pears 
shall  unite  their  efforts  in  the  use  of  the  remedies  proposed. 


gg'^  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 


Yponomeuticlae. 

A  FAMILY  of  the  Lepidoptera,  made  up  of  very  small  moths,  whose  labial  palpi  are  long 
and  slender,  and  still  but  slightly  developed  :  it  is  allied  to  the  Tortricid^  and  Tiseid^; 
but  from  the  former  it  differs  in  the  length  of  the  palpi,  and  from  the  latter  in  their  non- 
development. 

The  body  of  the  insect  is  slender,  and  somewhat  elongated  and  depressed.  The  antennse 
are  very  long  and  simple  in  both  sexes.  Wings  also  long,  or  a  long  oval  and  acute  :  they 
are  entire,  but  often  ciliate  or  fringed.  The  colors  are  white  or  slate,  marked  by  a  few 
bands  of  black  :  some,  however,  are  ornamented  with  brilliant  metallic  colors. 

The  larvae  are  often  highly  injurious  to  fruit-trees,  especially  those  living  in  communi- 
ties, which  inhabit  a  common  tent  after  the  manner  of  the  American  tent  caterpillars. 
They  have  sixteen  feet,  and  form  cocoons  in  the  midst  of  their  webs. 

Plate  xlvii,  fig.  7,  represents  the  typical  form  of  the  family  :  it  is  the  Adda  degeerella, 
from  Westwood.  The  species  have  not  always  the  long  antennse  of  this  one. 


Tineidae. 

This  family  contains  some  of  the  smallest  of  the  LEriDopTEBA.  Their  wings  are  narrow,  in 
which  respect  they  differ  from  the  Tortricidje  ;  and  their  palpi  are  well  developed.  The 
head  is  often  densely  clothed  with  scales  in  front  :  the  antenna  are  only  moderately  long ; 
the  spiral  tongue  is  short ;  and  the  wings  are  entire,  but  convoluted  when  at  rest. 

The  larvoe  are  very  destructive  to  woollens  and  household  furniture,  carpets,  clothing, 
furs,  etc. ;  and  when  once  they  have  taken  possession  of  a  house,  it  is  difficult  to  dislodge 
them.  They  are  usually  of  a  dirty  white,  sometimes  of  a  brown  color,  with  long  hairs  from 
the  posterior  extremity  ;  but  sometimes  also  naked,  or  furnished  with  a  few  hairs  scattered 
over  the  body.  They  form  cocoons,  which  they  frequently  carry  about  with  them  ;  and 
their  depredations  consist  in  gnawing  holes  through  the  woollens,  and  other  goods,  when 
they  get  possession  of  them  ;  so  that  when  unfolded  and  held  up  to  the  light,  the  articles 
are  often  found  to  be  perfectly  riddled.  They  undergo  transformation  in  the  little  cases  or 
cocoons  they  have  formed,  and  which  may  often  be  found  in  great  numbers  adhering  to 
spots  where  they  were  fixed  by  the  larvte  when  about  to  undeigo  transformation. 

One  of  the  most  eftectual  modes  of  preserving  woollens,  furs,  etc.  from  the  depredations 
of  the  moth,  is  to  expose  them  to  sunlight,  and  subject  them  to  frequent  examinations. 
When  such  articles  are  kept  in  dark  closets,  and  left  undisturbed  during  the  months  of 
June  and  July,  they  will  suffer  more  or  less  from  moths.  Tobacco  leaves,  camphor,  tur- 
pentine, are  poisonous  to  the  moth,  and  may  be  employed  as  protectives  against  it. 


FAMILY    TINEIDiE.  ggfr 

Tinea  cerella  (  Fabricius).     Honeycomb  Moth. 

This  moth  is  notorious  for  its  depredations  in  the  beehive  :  its  larva  feeds  upon  the 
honeycomb,  or  beeswax. 

Kollab,  in  his  treatise  on  injurious  insects,  describes  this  moth  in  detail ;  and  from  the 
matter  he  has  furnished,  I  have  derived  the  following  facts  : 

The  color  of  the  male  is  yellowish;  the  antennae,  head  and  back  clay-yellow;  the 
abdomen  yellowish  brown,  and  feet  yellowish  gray  with  lighter  spots.  Upon  the  back  and 
behind  the  seutellum  there  is  a  blackish  brown  tuft  of  hair,  the  point  of  which  is  white. 
The  upper  wings  are  broad,  short  and  obtuse,  of  a  dusty  ash-gray,  banded  from  the  base 
to  the  middle,  and  dotted  with  brown  :  the  fringes  are  brownish  white  and  jagged.  The 
hind  wings  are  light  ash-gray,  marked  by  a  yellowish  spot  en  tlieir  inner  boundary. 

Tiie  female  is  larger  than  the  male  :  her  color  is  of  a  dark  rusty  brown  on  the  head 
and  back  ;  the  forewings  are  darker,  obtuse  and  straight,  while  the  hindwings  are  much 
lighter.     Length  of  the  male,  six  lines  :  expanse  of  wing,  one  inch. 

The  caterpillar  is  cylindrical  and  spindle-shaped,  and,  when  fully  grown,  is  nearly  an 
inch  long  :  it  is  of  a  dirty  white  color,  and  has  sixteen  feet  of  a  cream-color. 

Following  its  singular  instincts,  the  larva,  immediately  after  it  is  hatched,  forms  its  web 
of  silk,  which  becomes  for  it  a  covered  way  and  protecting  screen,  wherewith  it  boldly 
enters  the  hive  if  hatched  without,  and  establishes  its  home  in  the  midst  of  enemies. 
When  the  bees  are  at  work,  however,  it  does  not  appear  abroad ;  but  when  they  are  at 
rest  during  the  night,  it  feeds  voraciously  upon  the  wax.  It  increases  rapidly,  and  comes 
to  its  full  size  in  about  three  weeks  :  it  then  makes  its  web  stronger,  and  is  transformed 
to  a  pupa.  If  it  is  late  in  the  season,  it  remains  till  spring  before  it  changes  to  an  imago. 

The  effect  of  these  intruders  is  first  to  diminish  the  wax  of  the  bee-cells,  which  occasions 
the  loss  of  the  honey  ;  and  when  this  takes  place  extensively  from  the  presence  of  nu- 
merous larvEe,  the  bees  cease  working. 

There  are  two  generations  of  moths  in  a  season,  according  to  Kollar  ;  the  first  appearinf 
early  in  the  spring,  and  the  second  in  July.  The  female  lays  her  eggs  in  the  cracks  of  the 
lower  part  of  the  hive,  in  the  night,  and  the  larvse  feed  at  first  upon  the  young  comb  ;  but 
they  afterwards  ascend  to  the  upper  part  of  the  hive,  where  tlie  older  kind  is  deposited. 

Many  inventions  have  been  proposed  and  resorted  to,  to  secure  the  bees  from  these 
intruders  :  none,  it  is  said,  succeed  perfectly  ;  and  so  far  from  requiring  no  attention,  it 
is  maintained  by  Kollar  that  the  only  sure  method  of  cleansing  beehives  from  this  moth 
is  to  look  after  and  destroy  them,  both  larvse  and  pupa.  The  moth  is  fond  of  sweets,  and 
may  therefore  be  attracted  to  dishes  of  sweetened  water  and  vinegar  in  the  night,  and  by 
that  means  may  be  drowned  :  some  other  kinds  of  obnoxious  moths  may  be  destroyed  in 
the  same  manner. 


3SAi  ORDER   LEPIDOPTEEA. 

Rhinosia  pometella.     Chatochdus  pomciellus  (Stephens). 
A  moth  has  been  described  by  Drs.  Harris  and  Fitch,  belonging  to  the  family  Tineid^, 
which  has  done  considerable  damage  to  the  apple  orchards  in  the  vallies  of  the  Hudson 
and  Housatonic  during  the  spring  of  1853.  Dr.  Harris  has  called  it  Rhinosia  pometella, 
and  furnishes  the  following  description  : 

<  Forewings  ash-gray,  sprinkled  with  blackish  dots,  three  of  which  are  larger  than  the  rest, 

'  and  placed  triangularly  near  the  middle  :  a  dusky  transverse  band  near  the  tips, 

'  and  a  curved  row  of  seven  black  dots  at  the  origin  of  the  terminal  fringe.  Hind- 

'  wings  dusky,  with  a  leaden  lustre,  black  veins,  and  very  long  black  fringes.  Body 

'  and  legs  beneath  yellowish  white,  with  the  lustre  of  satin.  Expansion  of  wing,  five 

'  eighths  of  an  inch '  (  Journal  of  the  N.  Y.  S.  A.  Society,  September).  The  markings, 

however,  according  to  Dr.  Fitch,  are  somew'hat  variable. 

The  larva  is  cylindrical,  has  a  pale  greenish  color,  sixteen  feet,  and  a  dusky  stripe  on 

the  back  :  above  this  is  a  narrower  whitish  strijie,  which  runs  along  the  middle  of  the 

back.  The  head  is  yellowish  and  polished.  Length  about  half  an  inch.  Its  marks  and  colors 

are  variable. 

This  larva  has  inflicted  considerable  injury  upon  orchards  during  the  past  season  (1853). 
It  eats  not  only  the  leaves,  but  also  the  apples.  Like  the  tortrix,  it  sometimes  rolls  up  a 
leaf  for  a  habitation ;  and  when  the  tree  is  shaken,  many  let  themselves  down  by  threads 
of  silk. 

Whale-oil  soap,  dissolved  in  water  and  thrown  freely  upon  the  trees,  is  found  to  be  an 
effectual  remedy  against  this  insect. 

Butalis  cerealella.     Jingoumois  Grainmoth. 
Color  pale  cinnamon-brown  ;  lustre  silky  :  hindwings  ashy  or  dusky  lead-color  :  feelers 
blackish  near  the  tip  ;  second  joint  blackish  on  the  outside  :  body  pale  brownish  gray. 
The  head  is  smooth  :  antennse  threadlike,  jointed  :  feelers  long  and  curved  upwards, 
with  the  terminal  joint  naked  and  acute  ;  basal  joint  hairy  and  short  :  tongue  about 
half  an  inch  long,  and  spirally  coiled.  Forewings  rather  long  and  narrow,  pointed  at 
the  end,  and  fringed  :  surface  sprinkled  with  blackish  dots,  especially  near  the  tips. 
Hindwings  blackish  with  a  leaden  lustre,  narrow,  and  obliquely  contracted  to  a  point 
at  the  tips  :  fringe  blackish,  widest  on  the  inner  margin.  Forelegs  blackish  ;  hind 
ones  fringed  on  the  inner  side  with  long  hairs. 
The  caterpillar,  when  fully  grown,  is  whitish  with  a  brown  head  :  legs  six,  with  ten 
wart-like  proplegs.  Chrysalis  is  obtuse  at  both  ends  :  rings  of  the  body  smooth  :  wing- 
cases  extending  nearly  to  the  hinder  extremity.  The  skin  of  the  chrysalis  remains  in  the 
kernel  of  grain  upon  which  the  larva  has  fed.  The  insect  hatches  from  June  till  August. 


FAMILY   TINEID^.  255 

The  community  is  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  Harris,  for  his  discoveries  in  relation  to  the 
Angoumois  grainmoth.  He  had  expressed  his  conviction,  in  the  first  edition  of  his  treatise 
on  insects  injurious  to  the  farmer  and  to  vegetation,  that  a  certain  grainmoth  would  prove 
to  be  the  true  European  angoumois  grainmoth,  and  it  seems  that  this  prediction  is  fully 
sustained  by  farther  discoveries  of  our  indefatigable  and  distinguished  entomologist. 

This  insect,  in  its  perfect  state,  is  known  to  lay  from  sixty  to  ninety  eggs  in  clusters  of 
twenty  or  more  upon  each  grain  :  these  hatch  in  about  five  or  six  days  into  threadlike 
worms,  which  disperse  themselves  about  the  grain-bin.  After  selecting  a  kernel  by  fixing 
upon  its  tender  part,  the  worm  burrows  into  it,  and  there  remains  feeding  until  it  arrives 
at  maturity  :  it  then  spins  a  web,  dividing  its  cavity  longitudinally  into  two  unequal  parts 
by  a  silky  partition,  where  it  undergoes  its  transformation,  the  larger  cavitj-  serving  the 
purpose  of  a  cocoon. 

It  appears  that  infected  wheat,  when  sown,  may  germinate,  but  the  plumule  will  be 
weak  and  small  :  the  insect,  however,  still  remains  in  the  grain,  feeding  upon  the  starchy 
matter,  till  it  is  ready  to  undergo  its  changes.  These  take  place  while  the  grain  is  still  io 
the  field,  and  the  mature  insects  may  be  found  flying  about  the  fields  in  the  night,  and  are 
ready  in  due  time  to  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  growing  grain. 

It  appears  that  the  angoumois  moth  not  only  attacks  wheat,  but  also  Indian  corn.  Mr. 
Richard  Owen,  of  New-Harmony,  first  called  the  attention  of  the  public  to  this  fact  in  a 
communication  to  the  Cultivator  in  1846.  In  Indian  corn  it  attains  a  rather  larger  size  than 
in  wheat,  the  wings  expanding  to  about  six-tenths  of  an  inch. 

The  method  that  has  been  found  most  effectual  in  destroying  this  grain-worm,  consists 
in  exposing  the  grain  to  a  temperature  of  IGT"  Fahr.  for  twelve  hours  ;  or  if  the  heat  is 
only  104  or  5%  it  is  sufficient  to  destroy  the  worms,  provided  it  be  continued  for  forty- 
eight  hours.  Fumigation  is  another  remedy  which  has  been  successfully  employed.  Expo- 
sure to  cold  destroys  both  the  larva  and  its  eggs  :  if  the  grain,  for  example,  in  New-York 
and  New-England,  is  housed  when  it  will  be  exposed  to  a  cold  at  zero,  the  insect  will  be 
destroyed. 

In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  it  is  recommended  to  thresh  the  grain  at  an  early  day ; 
inasmuch  as  by  that  operation  the  insect  is  destroyed  to  a  great  extent,  after  which  the 
grain  may  be  preserved  in  bulk.  Grain,  however,  should  not  be  exposed  in  open  casks 
when  it  is  liable  to  become  infested  :  the  insect  may  be  excluded  by  keeping  the  grain  in 
closed  boxes  or  hogsheads  after  threshing.  Corn  in  the  husk,  too,  is  less  exposed  to  de- 
predation than  when  husked,  especially  when  it  remains  standing  in  the  field. 


256  ORDER    LEPIDOPTERA. 

Tinea  cranella.     European  Grahimoth. 
Forewings  marbled  with  white  or  gray,  light  brown  and  dark  brown  spots,  and  one  square 
dark  sjjot  near  the  middle  of  the  outer  edge.   Hindwings  blackish.   Head  tufted. 
Length  three-  to  four-tenths  of  an  inch.  Harris. 

Moths  appear  in  May,  June  and  August  :  they  breed  twice  a  year. 

The  caterpillar  of  this  grainworm,  instead  of  burrowing  in  the  grain  like  that  of  the 
angoumois  grainworm,  feeds  upon  the  external  surface  only,  and  spins  a  web  in  which  it 
entangles  several  grains  for  that  purpose.  "When  the  period  for  transformation  arrives,  it 
leaves  this  web,  and  seeks  a  crevice  in  which  to  spin  its  cocoon.  Altogether  they  occupy 
about  six  weeks  in  feeding  on  the  grain,  which  they  soil  and  otherwise  injure  by  covering 
it  with  their  webs  and  excrements. 

Such  are  the  characters  of  the  European  grainmotli.  It  appears  from  the  observations  of 
our  distinguished  entomologist.  Dr.  A.  Fitch  of  Salem,  that  he  observed  many  years  ago 
that  grain  in  some  of  the  mills  in  his  neighborhood  was  affected  much  in  the  way  described 
above,  only  the  caterpillar  formed  its  cocoon  within  its  web. 

Although  the  habits  of  the  foregoing  grain  insects  differ  somewhat,  the  remedies  that 
have  been  successful  in  destroying  one  are  equally  efficacious  against  the  other,  to  wit  : 
fumigation  with  carbonic  acid  ;  exposure  in  close  vessels  to  heat  of  130  to  140°  Fahr. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS, 


Barbarus  anntjlattjs,  Plate  vii,  fig.  3  (Fitch's  Catalogue). 
AntennjB,  mandibles,  legs,  thorax,  rudimentary  wings,  green  ;  eyes  prominent,  black  ;  posterior  part  of 
the  head,  and  all  the  upper  parts  reddish  ;  sides  greenish  :  legs  long.     Inhabits  bushes  in  meadows 
and  borders  of  woods  in  September. 

Cantuaris  atrata,  refer  to  PI.  iv. 
Calimorpha  partiienice,  refer  to  fig.  3. 
Cremastocheilus  hentzii,  refer  to  PI.  ssiv,  fig.  2. 
Cerambix,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  9. 
Lamia,  PI.  xxvi,  refer  to  PL  xxxiv,  fig.  8. 
Leptura,  pi.  xxvi,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  11. 
Prionus  laticolli.s,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv. 
Stenocouds  cinctus,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv. 
iSaperda  tridentata,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  6. 
Rhagiiim  lineatum,  refer  to  PI.  x,  fig.  1. 
Leptura  malachitica,  refer  to  PI.  sxxi,  fig.  7. 
Saperda  vestita,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  4. 

Saperda  ,  page  122,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  7. 

Refer  Thecla  acis  to  figs.  1  &  3. 
Page  232,  for  PI.  xxiv,  refer  to  PI.  xxxix,  fig.  1. 
Purtganea  pasciata,  refer  to  PI.  xxxii,  figs.  7  &  9. 
Correct  Grammoptera,  p.  128,  and  read  Telephobus,  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  3. 
Telepiiorus,  refer  to  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  3. 

PODABRUS  MODESTUS,  instead  of  Telepiiorus,  PI.  xxxiv,  fig.  1. 
Megacephala  VIRGINICA  (Fab.),  PL  xvii,  fig.  15. 
Clttus  notatus?  p.  118,  PL  viii,  fig.  3. 

LyGjEUS  TURCicns,  PL  xxx,  fig.  9,  var.  a  (Fitch's  Catalogue). 
Phytocoris  lineolaris,  PL  xxx,  fig.  7. 
Phytocoris  coccineds,  PL  xxx,  fig.  2  (Fitch's  Catalogue). 
[Agricultural  Report — Vol.  v.]  32  * 


256*  ADDITIONS    AND    CORRECTIONS. 

PlIYTOCORIS   BELLUS,    PI.  XXX,    fig.  1. 
PenTATOMA    CARNIFEX,    PI.  XXX,    fig.  3. 

Pe.ntatojia  I'ENNSYLVANICA,  PI.  XXX,  fig.  4  ;  jouug  (unJeteriiiined),  fig.  8. 

Page  168,  for  Reduvius,  readSiNEA  stimulatrix,  I'l.  xxis,  fig.  8  (Fitch's  Catalogue). 

Laphira  TERGIS.SA,  PI.  xxviii,  fig.  6. 

Lapuira  tiioracica,  pi.  xxviii,  fig.  5. 

Laphira  sericea,  PI.  xxviii,  fig.  8. 

Laphira  (imdescribed),  PI.  xsix,  fig.  3. 

Syrphus  philadelphious,  pi.  xxviii,  fig.  1. 

Sykphus?  PL  xxix,  fig.  6. 

Ctenophora  trijiaculata,  PL  xxix,  fig.  5  (Fitch's  Catalogue). 

For  Grillus,  substitute  Orchellimum  gracile  (Harris),  PI.  ix,  fig.  1  (female). 
Color  green  shaded  with  brown,  especially  on  the  back  and  wings  ;  wing-eovcrs  and  legs  green,  faintl_y 
tinged  with  brown  ;  ovipositor  brown,  and  cinictar-shaped  :   |  inch  in  length.     This  grasshopper  is 
common  iu  mcadow.s  in  August. 

Leptis  ornata  ?  PI.  xxix,  fig.  1. 

Lei'Tis  qiiadrata?  PI.  xxix,  fig.  4. 

Leptis  (undescribed],  PI.  xxix,  fig.  10. 

Page  195,  for  Vespa  praterna  (PI.  xxvi,  fig.  6),  read  Polistes  anntlakis. 

Yespa,  pi.  xxvi,  fig.  8. 

Plate  X,  fig.  5,  appears  to  be  closely  allied  to  the  Genus  Sinodendron?  (Fab.).  Antenna;  10- 
jointed,  shorter  than  the  thorax  ;  second  short  :  club  3-jointed.  It  agrees  better  with  the  Genus 
Sinodendron,  than  with  cither  of  the  genera  of  the  LrcANiDiE.  Referred  in  the  description  of  the 
plate,  erroneously,  to  the  Genus  Scarites.  The  specimen  from  which  the  drawing  was  made  is  lost  ; 
but  the  insect  is  very  common,  especially  south,  in  decaying  wood  and  trees. 


ADDITIONS    AND    CORRECTIONS.  257* 


Arctia  AMERICANA.         Great  American  Tiger-moth. 
Male.  Back  of  the  antennsB  white,  tipped  with  brown  ;  pectina  brown.  Head  and  thorax 
l>rown,  covered  with  long  hairs  :  front,  at  the  base  of  the  hairs,  ornamented  with  a 
white  band,  surmounted  with  a  crest  of  hairs  trimmed  with  crimson,  and  which 
extends  around  the  thoracic  part.  Forewings  buff-brown  :  base  of  the  wings  marked 
with  white  branching  spots,  which  resemble  somewhat  a  cross  :  wing  beyond  the 
middle  also  marked  with  a  white  irregular  cross  something  like  an  X,  extending 
entirely  across  the  wing,  except  to  that  portion  which  is  directed  towards  the  apex  : 
anterior  margin  has  two  white  spots,  a  large  and  a  small,  between  the  two  crosses  : 
inner  margin  has  an  oblong  patch  of  brown  parallel  with  its  edge.  Hindwings  orange, 
marked  with  three  round  blue-blaclc  spots  ;  between  them  is  a  lunule  :  on  the  under 
side,  the  margin  has  two  brown  patches.  Abdomen  orange,  marked  in  the  middle  with 
four  transverse  lines ;  beneath  brown,  except  at  the  extremity.  Thighs  crimson ;  legs 
brown. 
Ill  tlie  female  the  markings  resemble  the  male,  but  the  white  is  more  conspicuous. 
Expanse  of  wing  of  the  female, '2-J  inches. 
Captured  near  Albany. 

Tliis  moth  closely  resembles  the  English  Caja,  or  Great  Tiger-moth.  It  is  rare  in  New- 
York,  or  rather  but  few  have  been  taken  to  my  knowledge.  Dr.  Harris  received  a  speci- 
men from  Trenton-falls,  of  which  he  has  given  a  description  in  his  Treatise  on  Insects, 
p.  207,  1853.  It  is  easily  distinguished  from  all  our  moths  by  its  peculiar  markings. 


INDEX  OF  SPECIES. 


Page 
ACHETA    ABBREVIATA 143 

Acontia 246 

ACRYDHTM  FEMOKRUBKUM  .  146 
ACRYDIUM  FLAVOVITTATtIM,    147 

Actias 233 

uEgERIA   EXITIOSA 222 

^geria  tipuliformi% 223 

Adimonia  134 

Agoniderus  pallipes  ....  47 

Agoncm  cupripenne   ....  45 

Agonxjm  octopunctathpi  .  45 

Agrilus  rxjficollis 85 

Agkotis  244 

AmARA    IMPUNCTICOLLIS     .  ,       46 

Amei-iean  Oak-beauty 245 

American  Tent-caterpillar  .   235 

American  Tigermoth 229 

Anchomenus  extensicollis,  49 
Angoumois  Grainmott  ....   254 

ANISODACTYLUS  AGRICOLLIS,  47 
AmsODACTVLUS  BALTlMOREn3,47 
ANISOnACTYLUS    RUSTICUS    .        47 

Ant-lions   185 

Apate  basilaris 93 

Aphidians 158 

Aphodius  aterrimus  ....  69 

ArnoDius  bicolor 69 

Aphodius  copronimus.  . . ,  69 

Aphodil'3  femoralis  ....  69 

Afhodiqs  servai, 69 

Aphodius  strigatus   ....  69 

Aphodius  terminalis  ....  69 

Appletree  Blight 161 

Aptera 148 

Areoda  lanigera    76 

ArCTIA    ISABELLA 229 

[Agricultural  Report  — 


Page 

Arctia  virginica 229 

Arctia  VIRGO 229 

Argynnis  aphrodite  ....   211 

ArgYNNIS    IDEALIA 212 

Attaciis  cecropia   237 

axtacus  luna 234 

AtTACUS  POLYPHEMUS  ....  236 
AtTACUS  PROMETHEUS  ....  237 
AtTELABUS    ANILIS 107 

Attelabus  pubescens  . . .  107 

AtTELABUS    SIMILIS 107 

Balaninus  rectus 109 

Bark-lice    149 

Beautiful  Deiopcia 229 

Bembidium  honestum  ....  53 
Bembidium  inequale  ....  53 
Besibidium  inornatum  ...  53 
Bembidium  sigillare  ....  53 
Bembidium  tripdnctatum,  53 
embidium  variegatum  .  .     53 

Blatta  nivea 141 

Boletophagus  cornutus  .  92 
Brachinus  cephalotes.  . .     41 

BrACHIMUS    C0NF0RMI3.  ...        42 

Brachinus  fumans 42 

Brachinus  perplexus  ...  41 

Brenthus  septentrtonis  .  106 

Bruchus  pisi 100 

BuPRESTIS    AMERICANA...  83 

Buprestis  dentipes 84 

buprestis  divaricata  ...  85 

Bupkestis  fasciata 83 

Buprestis  femorata  ....  84 

Buprestis  fulvo-guttata,  83 

Buprestis  lurida 86 

Buprestis  virginica  ....  83 
Vol.  v.]             33 


Page 

Butalis  cerealella 254 

Caddico-flies 188 

Calandka  granaria 101 

Calathus  gregarius  ....  48 

Callimorpha  epimenis  . . .  228 

Callimorpha  parthenice,  227 

Callimorpha  phyllika  . .  228 

Callimorpha  virguncula,  237 

Calosoma  calidum 52 

Calosoma  sckutator  ....  51 

Cantharis  atrata 97 

Cantharis  cinerea 97 

Carabus  limbatus 51 

Caeabus  serratus 51 

Carabus  vinculus 51 

Caepocapsa  pomonella  . .  251 

Cassida  clavata 130 

Catocala  affinis 247 

CaTOCAIA    EPIONE 247 

Cecidomyia  culmicola  . . .  179 

Cecidomyia  destructor..  173 

Cecidomyia  robinia 179 

Cecidomyia  salicis 179 

Cecidomyia  tkitici 176 

Cerambix  116 

Ceratocampa  regalis  .  . .  238 

Ceeesa  bubalus 155 

Ceresa  mcERos 155 

Cetonia  fulgida 89 

Cetonia  inda 79 

Chigres 148 

Chlocnius  emarginatus  .  .  47 

Chlcenius  lithophilcs    . .  48 

Chlcenius  nemoralis  ....  48 

Chlcenius  sericeus 48 

ClILffiNIUS  tomentosus  ...  48 


lA-^eJ-t^    CSLiS^iC-^^^H^     V^. 


260 

Page 

Platxcekas  piceus 66 

Platygastes  tipdl-e  ....  180 

platyrhylluji  angustifolium, 

145 

Platyfhyllum  concavcm,  144 

Platy.  oblcngifolium  . . .  145 

POiNTIJ    oleracea 204 

Potato  Hawkmoth 218 

Potherb  Pontia 204 

Pkionus  laticollis 115 

Priojjus   PENNSYLVA>'ICA  .  .  115 

Progne  Buttei-fly 207 

Ptinus  fur 92 

PULEX    PENETRAiNS     148 

PUBFURICENUS    HUJMERALIS,  126 

PYGiERA    ALBIFRONS 242 

PyROCHROA    FLAEELLATi   ..  96 

IIeddvius  168 

Rhagium  lineatum 126 

Ehinosia  fohetella 254 

RhYNCH^^SNUS    JMENUPIHR..  109 

Rose  Leafroller 250 

Saltators 142 

Saltmarsh  Caterpillar 225 

Sapeeda  calcaeata  121 

SaPERDA    CANDIDA 121 

Saperda  tridentata  ....  122 

Saperda  tripunctata  . . .  122 

Saperda  vestita.  .  .• 121 

Sarcophaga  georgina  . . .  181 

SaRCOPHAGA    VOMITORIA     .  .  181 

Saturnia  10   232 

Saturnia  maia 231 

ScARITES    SUBTERRANEUS  .  .  43 

SCOLIA    FOSSILANA 197 

SCOLIA  octowacvlata.  .  .  .  197 

SCOLYTUS    PYRI 113 

Semicolon  Butterfly 207 

SeUICA    ASSIMILIS 71 

Serica  vespertina 71 

Serica  viridans 71 

Sesia  fcciformis 221 

SeSIA    FELASGnS 221 

Silpha  amf.ric'N\    5S 


SiLPHA    l'AUDATA 57 

Silpha  inequalis 57 

Silpha  noveboraceksis  . .  58 
sllvands  scrinamensis  .  .  105 
Skippers    107,  215 

SmEEINTHUS  ASTYLrS  ....  221 
SmILIA    AUIilCULATA 153 

Smilia  guttata 153 

Smilia  vifudis 154 

Smilia  vittata 154 

SpauTVonns 248 

Spectrum  femoratum. . . .  142 
Sphjeroderus  stenostomus,  49 

Sphex  pennsylvanica   .  . .  195 

Sphex  plt;mipes 197 

SrHL\X    BRONTES 218 

Sphinx  caeolinus 218 

Sphinx  chionanthi 218 

Sphinx  cinerea 219 

Sphinx  convolvulus  . . , ,  218 

Sphinx  octomaculatus  . .  218 

Sphi.nx  pampinatrix 220 

Sphinx  QuiNqnEJiACULATUs,  219 

Spilosoma  acr.ba 225 

Spilosoma  auge 220 

Spilosoma  cunea 228 

Spilosoma  egle 227 

Spilosoma  nais 228 

Staphylinus  chrysukus  . .  61 

Staphylinus  cyanipennis,  61 

Staphylinus  villosus  ...  61 

Stenocokus  cinctus 116 

Taeanus  americanus  ....  182 

Tabanus  Atratus 182 

Telamona  acclivata 155 

Telamona  ampelopsides  .  154 

Telamona  coryli 155 

Telamona  ceat;egi 156 

Telamona  fagi 154 

Telamona  ornata  155 

Telamona  querci 105 

Telamona  beclivata .  155 

Telamona  turriculata  .  .  155 

Telamona   i'nicolou 154 


Telefhokus  90 

Teneerio  curvipes 99 

Tenebeio  molitor   99 

TeNKBRIO    OBSCI'IU'S f'9 

Tent  Caterpillar 229 

Tenthredo  191 

Tetraopes  teteophthalma, 121 

Teteix 147 

Tettigonia  rgo.e 158 

Tettigonia  vitis 158 

Thanasimus  dveius 91 

Thecla  acis 214 

Thecla  humuli 214 

TlIELlA    WMACULATA     15(3 

Thelia  binotata 150 

Thelia  h'tipes 15(5 

Thrtps 101 

Tinea  granella li5G 

ToMicus  exesus 112 

ToMicus  liminaris 112 

TOMICUS    PINT 112 

TRECHtIS    CINCTUS 48 

Trechits  conjunctus  ....  48 

Treehoppers 152 

Tremex  columba  1 92 

Trox  capillaris   71 

Trox  porcatus 70 

Upis  pennsylvanicus  ....  99 

Uroceeus  albicornis  ....  192 

Vanessa  Ai>itiope 206 

Vanessa  atalanta.  .   208,  209 

Vanessa  comma  208 

Vanessa  inteerogationis,  207 

Vanessa  polychloros  . . .  208 

Vanessa  progne 207 

Vanessa  urtrve 209 

Vespa  fraterna 195 

Wheat-fly 176 

Wheat-midge 180 

White  Miller 229 

Willow  Butterfly 206 

Wcod-nyiuph  . ". 292 

Wood- wasps 191 

XyLOCARFA    VIKGINICA  ....  197 


ENGLISH  INDEX. 


Admirals,  page  206. 
Angoumois  grainmoth,  254. 
Antlion,  185  -  187. 
Aphanipterous  insects,  148. 
Aphides,  158  -  162. 
Aphis-eaters,  136,  159, 
Appletree  blight,  79,  IGl, 
Appletree  borers,  87,  120. 
Appletree  insects,  162,  251. 
Appletree  worms,  110. 
Ashtree  borers,  87,  222,  223. 
Asparagus  insect,  123. 
Aspentree  borers,  121, 
Aster-bugs,   134. 
Atmospheric  blight,  164,  165. 
Baconbug,  60. 
Balancers,  172. 
Balsamine  butterfly,  210. 
Barklice,  149,  162,'163. 
Barkworms,  85,  98,  118,  119. 
Beanmoths,  226. 
Bedbugs,  169,  170. 
Beechtree  insect,  154. 
Bee-eating  beetles,  80,  91. 
Beeswax-moth,  253. 
Berrybugs,  191. 
Birds  destroy  insects,  74,  82, 103, 

240. 
Blackberry  worm,  122. 
Blackcherry  insects,  163. 
Blackclocks,  39,  44  -  49. 
Blight,  164. 

[Agricultural  Eeport  — 


BlLstering-flies,  90,  97. 
Bombardiers,  39,  41  -  43. 
Bookworms,  92. 
Buckwheatworms,  243. 
Burrowers,  39,  43,  44. 
Butterflies,  199  -  216. 
Buttonwood  caterpillar,  234. 
Cabbage  butterflies,  ^05. 
Cabbage-worms,  243. 
Caddiceflies,  18S. 
Canada-thistle  insect,  153. 
Candle-owls,  89. 
Carpet-eating  insects,  252. 
Carrion-beetles,  57,  58,  70. 
Carrot-butterflies,  100. 
Ceiling-bugs,  197. 
Cellarbugs,  98. 
Cherrybugs,  73,  79. 
Cherrytree  worms,  110,  222. 
Chesnut-rail  worm,  118. 
Chesnut  weevil.  111. 
Chigre,  148. 
China-aster  insect,  97. 
Chinchbugs,  169. 
Clouded  butterfly,  213. 
Cockroaches,  141. 
Coleopterous  insects,  31  -  138. 
Columbine-worm,  243. 
Comma  butterfly,  208. 
Copper  butterfly,  216. 
Corneating  worms,  86. 
Corn  emperor-moth,  231,  232. 
Vol.  v.]  34 


Corn  weevils,  101  -  106,  111. 
Crickets,  143. 
Cucumber-bugs,  134,  135. 
Currantbush  insects,    163,    222, 

223. 
Cutworms,  243. 
Dahlia-worm,  243. 
Deathwatcb,  92. 
Devil's-darnlngneedle,  184. 
Dipterous  insects,  172  -  183. 
Dischargers,  39,  50  -  52. 
Dogday  harvestfly,  152. 
Dogsbane  insect,  130. 
Dogwood-moths,  252. 
Dragonflics,  184. 
Dung-beetles,  63  -  71. 
Earwigs,  139. 
Eatable  grubs,  116. 
Elder-pith  worm,  125. 
Elmtree  blight,  165. 
Elmtree  bugs,  134. 
Elmtree  caterpillars,  232,  236. 
Emperor-moths,  220  -  233. 
Euplexopterous  insects,  139. 
Fire-beetles,  88. 
Fireflies,  89. 
Fisheating  bugs,  166. 
Fleas,  148. 
Flies,  181. 

Flower-beetles,  63,  80,  119, 139. 
Forest  tent-caterpillar,  239. 
Frinjretree  moth,  218. 


262 

Frittcrlaries,  206. 

Fruit-bcotles,  73,  110,  139. 

Fruitbug.s,  171. 

Fruit-tree  moths,  230,  2-52. 

Fur-beetles,  GO. 

Furcating  insects,  252. 

Gadflies,  182. 

Garden  crickets,  142. 

Gigantic  beetles,  71. 

Gloworms,  89. 

Goldenrod  insect,  79,  132,  134. 

Gooseberry  butterfly,  203. 

Grainmoths,  2.54,  256. 

Grain-weevils,  101  -  106,  111. 

G  rainworms,  92,  99. 

Grapevine  beetles,  76,  77, 

Grapevine  insects,  157, 158,  220. 

Grasping  beetles,  140. 

Grasshoppers,  144. 

Grassmoths,  226,  227. 

Grassworras,  73,  86,  88,  243. 

Harmless  insects,  59,  112,  124, 
144,  152,  153,  201,  202, 
227,  229,  231,  237. 

Harvestflies,  149,  152. 

Hawkmoths,  216  -  223. 

Hay  insect,  147. 

Hazletree  insect,  155. 

Hessianflies,  173-176. 

Heteropterous  insects,  166 -171. 

Hickory  borers,  82,  93, 116, 123. 

Hickorytree  caterpillar,  239, 240. 

Homopterous  insects,  149  -  165. 

Honeycomb-moth,  253. 

Honcydew,  159,  163. 

Hooppole  insects,  93,  123. 

Hop  butterfly,  214. 

Horn-beetles,  65. 

Hornbugs,  73. 

Horntails,  191. 

Horscehesnut-moths,  231 . 

Horseflies,  182. 

Horseradish-bvigs,  135. 
■  Hummingbird-moths,  217. 

Hymenopterous  ins.  189  -  197. 


INDEX. 

Ichneumon-flies,  193,  194. 

Insects  serviceable  to  the  farmer 
and  gardener,  33-41,  43, 
46,50,  52,  53,57,67,136, 
161,  162,  193,  196. 

Jigger,  148. 

Jumping  beetles,  140. 

Katydids,  144,  145. 

Lacewing,  159. 

Ladybirds,  136  -  138,  161. 

Leadeatcrs,  93. 

Leafeating  caterpillars,  231,  232, 
233,  234,238,  239,241,242. 

Leafhoppers,  152. 

Leafrollers,  250. 

Lepidopterous  insects,  198-256. 

Lichen-worms,  223,  225. 

Lilac-moth,  238. 

Lindentree  borer,  121. 

Locusts,  145,  146. 

Locust-tree  insect,  130, 179,217. 

Loopers,  248. 

Lychnis  blight,  164. 

Maggots,  173,  181. 

Maize-bugs,  169. 

Maize-moths,    226  -  228,    232, 

243. 
Maize-worms,  f^G. 
Mapletree  insects,  162, 192,194. 
May-beetles,  73. 
Mayflies,  187. 
Mealworms,  99. 
Measuring  worms,  248,  249. 
Milkwccd-moths,  227. 
Millers,  229. 
Blolecrickets,  143. 
Mountainash  insects,  222,  223. 
Mulberry  beetles,  93. 
Mustard-bugs,  135. 
Nouropterous  insects,  184  -  187. 
Nutweevil,  109. 
Oak-bciuty,  245. 
Oaktree  beetles,    82,    84,    106, 

124. 


Oaktree  caterpillars,    234,    236, 

240  -  242. 
Oaktree  insects,  231,  245. 
Orchard  caterpillars,    235,    239, 

254. 
Orchard-worms,  120. 
Orthopterous  insects,  140  -  147. 
Parasitic  insects,    53,  179,  180, 

193,  196. 
Parsley  butterfly,  200. 
Peabugs,  100,  228. 
Peachbug,  79,  80,  111. 
Peachtree  insects,  160,  222. 
Peaehtree  yellows,  113. 
Pear-blight,  113,  165. 
Peartree  beetles,  76,  110,  113. 
Peartree  insects,  160,  251. 
Pignut-tree  borer,  85. 
Pinetree  beetles,  82,  83,  91, 108, 

111,  112,  113,  126. 
Plantlice,  149,  158  -  162. 
Plumtree  beetles,  73. 
Plumtree  silkworm,  250. 
Plum-weevils,  109,  111. 
Poplartree  borer,  121,  133. 
Poplartree  moths,  232. 
Potato-blight,  164. 
Potato-flies,  96,  129. 
Potato  hawkmoth,  218. 
Potato-moth,  219. 
Praying  beerte,  142. 
Radish-bugs,  135. 
Piaspberry  borer,  122. 
Raspberry  insect,  85. 
Rice-weevil,  106,  112. 
Rooks  destroy  caterpillars,  74. 
Rooteating  worms,  86. 
Rosebug,  79. 
Rose  leafhopper,  158. 
Rose  leafroller,  250. 
Rottenwood  beetles,  59. 
Running  beetles,  140  -  142. 
Sacred  beetles,  63,  67. 
Saltmarsh  caterpillar,  225. 
Sassafras-moths,  232. 


Sawboctles,  115. 
Sawflies,  190. 
Scavenger  beetles,  57. 
Semicolon  buttei-fly,  207. 
Seventeen-year  locust,  150. 
Sexton-beetles,  56  -  58. 
Silkweed  insect,  124. 
Skin-destroying  beetles,  CO. 
Skippers,  167,  215. 
Snaileaters,  89. 
Snapbugs,  86. 
Snowball  insect,  163. 
Social  ants,  184. 
Social  butterflies,  214. 
Social  caterpUlars,  232,234,240. 
Spamvorms,  248. 
Sphinges,  218-221. 
Spindleworms,  243. 
Spring -beetles,  86. 
Squashbug.s,  171. 
Squirting  beetles,  41  -  43. 


Stag-beetle,  66. 
Stinking  beetles,  50  -  52,  61. 
Strawberry-bugs,  171. 
Tcnt-catcrpillars,  235. 
Thornapple  insect,  155. 
Tiger-beetles,  33  -  38. 
Tigermoths,  229. 
Timber  insects,  92-94,114, 124. 
Tortoiseshell  butterfly,  209. 
Trcehoppers,  152. 
Trichopterous  insects,  188. 
Turnipeaters,  129,  135. 
Tussocks,  230. 
Walking  beetles,  140,  142. 
Walkingsticks,  142. 
Walnuttree  girdlers,  123. 
Walnuttree  moths,  238,  240. 
Wasps,  195. 
Water-beetles,  54  -  50. 
Waterskippers,  167. 
Weevils,  101  -  106,  108. 


263 

Whcatbug,  92. 

Wheatflies,  176  -  178. 

Wheat  insects,  101  -  106,   108, 

111,  161,  169,  228. 
MTieatmidge,  180. 
Wheatstalk  insect,  179, 
Whcatwornis,  243. 
Whitoants,  184. 
Wildcherry  butterfly,  203. 
Wildcherry  caterpillars,  236. 
Willow  butterflies,  206. 
Willow  insects,  179. 
Wireworms,  86,  88. 
Woodbine  insect,  154. 
Woodeating  beetles,  66,  93, 112. 
Woodeating  caterpillars,  241. 
Woodwasps,  191. 
Woodworms,  98,  114,  119,  124, 

192,  241. 
Woolleneatina  insects,  252. 


INDEX  OF  ANGLICISED  NAMES. 


Page 

AcHETA,  or  Cricket  : 

Domestic  Achate 143 

Achcta  abbreviata. 

AcRYDiuM,  or  Little-lociist  : 

Redlegged  Aci-idy 146 

Acrydium  femorrubrum. 

Yellowstriped  Aeridy 147 

Acrydium  flavovittatura. 

Adela,  or  I/msible-worm  : 

Dcgeer's  Adele 252 

Adela  degeerella. 

Adimonia,  or  Timid-beetle,  134 

^Egeria,  or  Poplar-moth  : 
Mischievous  Egery 222 

yEgcria  exitiosa. 
Skippershaped  Egery 223 

^■Egeria  tipuliformis. 

Agonoderus,  or  Angular  beetle: 
Palefooted  Agonodere  ....     47 
Agonoderus  pallipes. 

Agonum,  or  Roimded  beetle  : 

Copperwinged  Agone 45 

Agouum  cupripenne. 
Eightpointed  Agone 45 

Agonum  octopunctatura. 

Agrilus,  or  Raspberry  beetle  : 

Piedbreasted  Agrile 85 

Agrilus  ruficoUis. 

Agrotis,  or  Ciitioorm  .  .      244 

Amara,  or  Black-beetle  : 
Black  Amare 46 

Amara  impnncticollis. 


Anchomenus,  or  Ditch-beetle  : 

Broadbreasted  Anchomene  .      49 

Anchomenus  exteusicoUis. 

Anisodactylus,  or  Uneven- 
legged  beetle  .- 
Baltbiiore  Anisodactyl  ....     47 

Anisodactylus  baltimorivis. 
Field  Anisodactyl 47 

Anisodactylus  rusticus. 
Narrownecked  Anisodactyl,      47 

Anisodactylus  agricollis. 

Anobium,  or  Deathwatch  .     92 

Apate,  or  Woodeater  : 

Royal  Apate 93 

Apate  basilaris. 

Aphis,  or  Plantlouse  ....   158 

ApHODius,  or  Footless  beetle  : 

Bicolored  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  bicolor. 
Blackish  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  aterrimus. 
Excremcntitious  Aphody  .  .     69 

Aphodius  coprouimus. 
Femoral  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  femoralis. 
Servile  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  serval. 

Strigate  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  strigatus. 
Terminal  Aphody 69 

Aphodius  terminalis. 

Arctia,  or  Diana' s-vir gi n  : 

Isabella  Arcty 229 

Arctia  Isabella. 


Page 

Maiden  Arcty 228 

Arctia  virgo. 

Virginian  Arcty 229 

Arctia  virginica. 

Areoda,  or  Goldsmith-beetle  : 

Woolly  Areodc 76 

Areoda  lanigcra. 

Argynnis,  or  Argynnus 

butterfly  : 
Ideal  Argynne 212 

Argynnis  idealia. 

Venus's  Argynne 211 

Argynnis  aphrodite. 

Ateuchus,  or  Egyptian  beetle  : 

Sacred  Ateuchy   08 

Ateuchus  sacer. 

Attacus,  or  Baldheaded-moth  : 

Cecrops  Attace 237 

Attacus  cecropia. 
Diana  Attace 233 

Attacus  luna. 
Polyphemus  Attace 236 

Attacus  polyphemus. 
Prometheus  Attace 237 

Attacus  promethous. 

Attelabus,  or  Feeble  locust  : 

Anile  Attelabe 107 

Attelabus  anilis. 
Do\vny  Attelabe 107 

Attelabus  pubescens. 
Similar  Attelabe 107 

Attelabus  .similis. 

Balaninus,  or  Nui-iveevil  : 
Slender  Balanine 109 

Balaninus  rectus. 


Page 

Snouted  Balaniiie Ill 

Bulauiiius  uascicus. 

Bembidium,  or  Topshapcd 
beetle  : 

Handsome  Beuibidy 53 

Bembidium  liimestam. 

Honiclj'  Hembidy 53 

Beiubiilium  iiiornatum. 
Sealsliajied  Beiubidy 53 

Bembidium  sigillare. 
Threcpointed  Bembidy  ....     53 

Bi.'mbidium  tripunctatura. 
Uneven  Bembidy 53 

Bembidium  ineijuale. 
^'ariogated  Bembidy 53 

Bembidium  variegatiuu. 

Blatta,  or  Cockroach  : 

Domestic  Blatter 141 

Blatta  oricntalis. 
Pale  Blatter 141 

Blatta  nivea. 

BoLETOPHAGUS,  ov  Miishroom- 
taler  : 

Horned  Boletopliager 98 

Boletophagus  cornutus. 

BojiBYX,  ur  Silkworm,  225,  233 
Brachinl's,  or  Shortwing  : 
Earheaded  Brachine    41 

Bracbimis  cephaUites. 
Groovcwinged  Brachine  ...     41 

Brachinus  perplexus. 
Smoking  Brachinus 42 

Brachinus  fumans. 
Wellshaped  Brachine 42 

Brachinus  conformis. 

Brenthus,  or  Loyigsnout  : 

Northern  Brent 106 

Brenthus  septentrionis. 

Bruchus,  or  Peahorer  : 

Pea-eating  Bruchy 100 

Bruchus  pisi. 

BupBESTis,  or  Buriicotc  : 

Banded  Buprestis 83 

Buprcstis  fasciata. 
Brownspottod  Bupresti-;  ...     83 

Buprcstis  fulvoguttata. 
Dentipede  BuprestLs 84 

Buprcstis  dentipes. 
Divaricate  Buprcstis 85 

Buprcstis  divaricata. 
[Agricultural  Report  — 


Fcniorate  Buprestis 84 

Buprcstis  i'emorata. 
Lurid  Buprcstis 85 

Buprcstis  luridns. 
Virgin  Buprcstis   83 

Buprcstis  virgiuica. 

BuTALls,  or  Aiigoiimois  moth  : 

Graineating  Butaly 254 

Butalis  ccrcalclla. 

Calandra,  or  Cornealer  : 

Granary  Calandre 101 

Calandra  granaria. 

Calathus,  or  Basket-beetle  : 

Social  Calathy 38 

Calathus  gregarius. 

Cali.imorpha,  or  Comtly  moth  : 

Leaf  Callimorph 228 

Calliuiorpha  phyllira. 
Maiden  Callimorph 227 

Callimoi-pha  virgiuicula. 
Monthly  Callimorph 228 

Calliuiorpha  epiuienis. 
Virgin  Callimorph  . , 227 

Callimorpha  parthenicc. 

Calosoma,  or  Hayidsomclody  : 

Lively  Calosome   52 

Calosoma  calida. 
Searching  Calosome 51 

Calosoma  scrutator. 

Cantharis,  or  Blisterfly : 
Ashy  Cantharis 97 

Cantharis  ciucreus. 
Blackish  Cantharis 97 

Cantharis  atrata. 

Carabus,  or  Leapheetle  : 

Chained  Caraby 51 

Carabus  viuctus. 
Fringed  Caraby 51 

Carabus  limbatus. 
Punctured  Caraby 51 

Carabus  serratus. 

Carpocapsa,  or  Fruiticorm  : 

Orchard  Carpocapse 251 

Carpocapsa  pomonella. 

Cassida,  or  Tortoise-beetle  : 
Clubbed  Cassid 1-30 

Cassida  clavata. 
Shielded  Cassid 130 

Cassida  scutellata. 
Vol.  v.]  35 


260 

Page 

Catocala,  or  Brotcnmoth  : 
Sooty  Catocale 247 

Catocala  epionc. 

Versicolored  Catocale 247 

Catocala  alliuis. 

Cecidomyia,  or  Hcsslaiijly  : 

Destroying  Cccidnniy 173 

Ceciilorayia  destructor. 

Locusttree  Cecidomy 179 

Cecidomyia  robiiiia. 
Wheat  Cecidomy 170 

Cecidomyia  tritici. 
Wheatstalk  Cecidomy   ....    179 

Cecidomyia  culmicola. 
Willow  Cecidomy 179 

Cecidomyia  salicis. 

Cerambyx,  or  Hornbug  . .   110 

Ceratocampa,  or  Hornmotk  : 

llegal  Ceratocamp 238 

Ceratocampa  regalis. 

Ceresa,  or  Fatuljly  : 

Buffalo  Cerese 155 

Ceresa  bubalus. 

Twospotted  Cerese 155 

Ceresa  diceros. 

Cetonia,  or  Rose-beetle  : 

Clothed  Cetony 79 

Cetonia  inda. 
Shining  Cetony 80 

Cetonia  fulgida. 

Chlcenius,   or  Grassgreen 

beetle  : 
Emarginate  Chleny 47 

Chla?nius  eraarginatus. 
Grove  Chleny 48 

Chla?nius  nemoralis. 
Silky  Chleny 48 

Chla?nius  scriceus. 
Stone  Chleny 48 

Chla?nius  litliophilus. 
Woolly  Chleny 48 

Chlocuius  tomentosus. 

Chrysomela,  or  Goldenbug  : 

American  Chrysomel 13;' 

Chrysomela  americana. 
Banks's  Chrysomel 133 

Chrysomela  banksii. 
Beautiful  Chrysomel 132 

Chrysomela  pulcher. 
Bluewingcd  Chrysomel. .. ,   132: 

Chrysomela  casrulipennis. 


266 

Page 

Daeciving  Chr3'soii)el  ....'.   131 

Chrysomola  decipions. 
Ladderlike  Chrysoiuel  ....    131 

Chrysomela  scalaris. 
Philadelphia  Chrysomel  .  . .    130 

Chrysoiuda  iiliikiilolphiea. 
Tlii-oe.--putteil  (.'hr}>i.)iiiel    .  .    132 

CliiysoiiK'la  trimaculata. 

Chrysofhanus,  or  Goldcnl/'gkt : 

Shorttailed  ChrysopLane   .  .    216 

ChrysopUanus  phlcas. 

Cicada,  o\- Harvesify : 

Dogday  Cicade 152 

Cicada  canicularis. 
Xew-York  Cicade. ........    152 

Cicada  noveboi'acensis. 
Seventecn-yoar  Cicade  ....    150 
Cicada  septondecitu. 

CiciNDELA,  or  Gloivivonn  ; 
called    also   Tiger-beelle, 
and   Sandleaper  : 
Broadluned  (!ieindcl 35 

Cicindela  repandis. 
Common  Cicindel 34 

Ciciadcla  vulgaris. 
Cousin  Cicindel 35 

Cicindela  patruela. 
Dotted  Cicindel 35 

Cicindela  guttata. 
12-dotted  Cicindel 37 

Cicindela  duodeeimguttata. 

Emeroidal  Cicindel 37 

Cicindela  liiemorrhoidals. 
Field  Cicindel    38 

Cicindela  campcstris. 
Gentle  Cicindel 34 

Cicindela  generosa. 
Punetulate  Cicindel 37 

Cicindela  punetulata. 

Purple  Cicindel 35 

.  Cicindela  purpurea, 
lloughnecked  Cicindel  ....      3(3 

Cicindela  liirticolli.s. 
Whitohaired  Cicindel 36 

Cicindela  albohirta. 
Whitelippcd  Cicindel 36 

Cicindela  albilabri.s. 

CiMBEX,  or  Saujly  : 

Elnitree  Cimbice 191 

Cimbcx  ulrai. 

OiMEX,  or  Bomcslic  bug  : 

Bedstead  Ciniice   lOD 

Cimcx  lectularius. 


INDEX. 

Page 

CiMiiNDis,  or  Litthbug  : 

Hairy  Cimindis 42 

Cimindis  pilosus. 

CisTELA,  or  Casket-bcetlc  : 

Short  Cistel 07 

Cistela  brevis. 

Clerus,  or  Bcihi'rc  beclh  : 

Bee-eating  Clery 91 

Clerus  apiarius. 

Clisiocabipa,  or  Tentmoth  : 
American  Clisiocamp 235 

Clisiocampa  amcricana. 
Forest  Clisiocamp 239 

Clisiocampa  sylvatica. 
Whiteoak  Clisiocamp 240 

Clisiocampa  ncustria. 

CL1VI^'A,  or  Sootf/sai/ijig  beetle  : 

Lined  Clivinc 44 

Clivina  lincolata. 

Clvtus,  or  Noisy  beetle  : 
Beautiful  Clyte 117 

Clytus  spociosus. 
Chcsnut-rail  Clyte 118 

Clytus  campcstris. 
Gazelle  Clyte 117 

Clytus  capi-ea. 
Hooked  Clyte 118 

Clytus  bamatus. 
Noble  Clyte 117 

Clytus  nobilis. 
Painted  Clyte 117 

Clytus  pictus. 
Waved  Clyte 118 

Clytus  undatus. 

CocciNELLA,  or  Ladybird  : 

Abbreviate  Coccinelle  ....    138 

Cocciuella  abbreviata. 
Crossbarrcd  Coccinelle ....   138 

Coccinella  transversoguttata. 
Fivespotted  Coccinelle ....    136 

Coccinella  quinquomaculata. 
Flcsheolored  Coccinelle  . . .   136 

Coccinella  incarnata. 
Ninespotted  Coccinelle. 1 36 

Coccinella  novemnotata. 
Northern  Coccinelle 136 

Coccinella  borealis. 
Spotless  Coccinelle    137 

Coccinella  inimaculata. 
Tenspottcd  Coccinelle 138 

Cocci iK'lla  dccimmaculata. 


Page 

Threcspotted  Coccinelle  ...   137 

Coccinella  trioculata. 
Twelvc.spotted  Coccinelle  . .   137 

Coccinella  duodecimnotata. 
Twentyspotted  Coccinelle.  .   137 

Coccinella  vigintomaculata. 
Twodotted  Coccinelle 138 

Coccinella  binotata. 
Twospottcd  Coccinelle  ....    137 

Coccinella  biraaculata. 

Coccus,  or  Barklouse  ....    1G2 

CcELioxis,  or  Ceiliiig-ivasp  : 

Kinged  Celiox 197 

Cteliiixis  annularis. 

CoLiAs,  or  Bastard  butterfly: 
Loyal  Colias 204 

Culias  pbilodicc. 

CoPKis,  or  Excrement-beetle  : 

Caroline  Copris 70 

Copris  carolinus. 

CopROBius,  or  Dung-beetle  :     \ 

DuUcolored  Coproby 67 

Coprobius  laivis. 

CoREus,  or  Squashbug  : 

Sombre  Corey 171 

Corcus  tristis. 

CKEMASTOcnEiLUS,  or  HangUp : 
Hentz's  CrcmastocLile  ....     77 
Cremastocheilus  hentzii. 

Crioceris,  or  B.amslior7i  : 

12-pointcd  Crioeere 129 

Crioceris  duodecimpunctata. 

Cucujus,  or  Mixed-beetle  : 

Clubfooted  Cucujy 60 

Cucujus  clavipes. 

CuPEs,  or  Epicure  : 

Kcdheaded  Cupes 92 

Cupes  capitata. 

CuEcuLio,  or  Bean-beetle  : 

New- York  Curculy   110 

Curculio  noveboraccnsis. 

CvciiRDS,  or  Longheaded  beetle: 

Tapering  Cychre    50 

Cyclirus  viduus. 

Cynthia,  or  Cynthia-n  buttcfly: 

Hunter's  Cuithy 210 

Cviitbia  huntcra. 


Page 
Thistle  Cmthy 210 

Cynthia  caidui. 

Cyrtosia,  01-  Basketjly : 

Arched  Cj-rtosy 154 

Cyrtosia  arcuata. 
Sooteolored  Cyrtosy 154 

Cyrtosia  fuliginosa. 

Danaus,  or  Danaid-heeth : 

Webfooted  Danay 202 

Dauaus  plcxippiis. 

Deiopeia,  or  Jimo^s-nyinph  : 

Belle  Diopcy 225 

Deiopeia  bclla. 

Dendroides,  or  Brauching 
beetle  : 

Canadian  Dendroid 90 

Dendroides  canadensis. 

Dekjikstes,  or  Skineating 

beetle  : 
Baeoneating  Deruiester  ...     GO 

Dermestes  lardarius. 
Flu-destroying  Demiester  . .     60 

Dermestes  vulpimis. 

Desjiocertjs,   or  Closehorn 
beetle  : 

Cloaked  Desmocere 125 

Desmocerus  palliatus. 

DiCHELONYCHA,  Or  Cloveiifoot  : 

Elongate  Dichelonyehe ....      78 

Diclielouycha  clongata. 

DicffiLus,  or  Carved  beetle  : 

Broad  Dieele   49 

Dica-lus  dilatatus. 
Long  Dieele 49 

Dica-lus  elongatus. 

DiCTYoPTERA,  Or  Netwing  : 
Reticulate  Dictioptcr 90 

Dictyoptera  reticulata. 
Terminal  Dictiopter 90 

Dictyoptera  tcrminalis. 

Dryocanpa,  or  Woodmoth  : 
Imperial  Di-yocanip 233 

Dryocampa  imperialis. 
Pellucid  Dryocaiup 239 

Dryocampa  pellucidu. 
Virginian  Dryocamp 239 

Dryocampa  virginicnsis. 


INDEX. 

Page 

Dyschirius,  or  Clumsyfinger  : 

Globeform  Dyschiry 43 

Dyschirius  globulosus. 

Dyticus,  or  Diving  beetle  : 

Harris's  Dytice 55 

Dyticus  harrisii. 

Elaphidiox,  or  Fawn-hccth  : 

Shaggy  Elaphidion 124 

ElaphidioQ  villosum. 

Elaphuus,  or  Nimblebug  : 

Brushy  Elaphre 52 

Elaphrus  ruscarius. 

Elater,  or  Springiiig  beetle  : 

Asheolored  Elater 88 

Elater  cincreus. 
Common  Elater 88 

Elater  communis. 
Flatfronted  Elater 88 

Elater  appressifrons. 
Nightshining  Elater 88 

Elater  noctilucHS. 
Speckled  Elater 87 

Elater  oculatus. 
Swelled  Elater 88 

Elater  obcsus. 
Walnutcolored  Elater 88 

Elater  glandicolor. 

Elmis,  or  Worm-beetle  ; 
Notched  Elmis 56 

Elmis  crenatis. 

ExGis,  or  Narrow-beetle  : 
Swathed  Engis 59 

Engis  tiisciatus. 

Entilia,  or  Thistlejly : 

Concave  Entily 153 

Entilia  concava. 
Emarginatc  lilntily 153 

Entilia  emarginata. 
Sinuate  Entily 153 

Entilia  sinuata. 

Epicauta,  or  Blisteriiig  beetle  : 

Striped  Epicaut 96 

Epicauta  vittata. 

Erebus,  or  Barkicorm  : 

Sweet  Ereby   246 

Erebus  edusa. 

Ephe.iieua,  or  Mayfy  ....    187 
Eriosoma,  or  Woolfly  ....   101 


2Q1 

Page 

EuciiiETEs,    or  Finchaircd 
moth  : 

Bright  Euchate 227 

Eueha;tes  a;glc. 

Euchlora,  or  Brown-beetle  : 

Bachelor  Euehlore 78 

Euchlora  cadebs. 

Eudamus,  or  Happy  butterfly  : 
Tityrus  Eudame 215 

Eudamus  tityrus. 

EuDRYAs,  or  Woodnijmph  : 

Gracious  Eudryad 242 

Eudryas  grata. 

EuMoLPUs,  or  Melodious  beetle  : 

Golden  Eumolpy 130 

Euraolpus  auratus. 

FoRFicuLA,  or  Pinching  beetle, 

139 
Galerita,  or  Larkbug  : 

American  Galerite 41 

Galerita  amcricana. 

Galeruca,  or  Cap-beetle  : 

Calmarian  Galeruce 1 34 

Galeruca  calmariensis. 

Striped  Galeruce 1 34 

Galeruca  vittata. 

Galgulus,  or  Toadbiig  : 

Large-eyed  Galgule 167 

Galgulus  oculatus. 

Gargara,  or  Drovefly  : 

Blackheaded  Gargare 157 

Gargara  nigricephala. 
Cinereous  Gargare 156 

Gargara  cinerca. 
Discoid  Gargare 157 

Gargara  discoidalis. 
Downy  Gargare 157 

Gargara  pubescens. 
Great  Gargare 156 

Gargara  majus. 

Frontspotted  Gargare   ....    156 

Gargara  maculifrontis. 
Oak  Gargare 156 

Gargara  querei. 
Pectoral  Gargare 157 

Gargara  pectoralis. 
Smooth  Gargare 157 

Gargara  inenuis. 


268 


INDEX. 


Page 


(tEometra,  or  Measuring- 
worm  : 
Chainmarked  Geometer  .  . .   249 

Geometra  cateiiaria. 
Crossbarred  Geometer  ....   2-49 

Geometra  transversata. 
Scolloppcd  Geometer 249 

Geometra  serrata. 

Geotrupes,  or  Burrowmg- 

beetle  : 
Splendent  Geotrupc 67 

Geotrupes  splendens. 

Gerris,  or  Skipper  : 
Marginate  GerrLs 167 

Gerris  margtnatus. 

Glaucopis,  or  Owlmoth  : 

Stony  Glaucope 223 

Glaucopis  pholus. 

GoRTYNiA,  or  Spiiidhvorm  : 

Maizeating  Gortiny 243 

Gortynia  zea. 
Whitewinged  Gortiny   ....   243 

Gortynia  leucostigma. 

Grammoptera,-  or  Lettenuing, 

128 
Grillotalpa,  or  Mohcricktt  : 

Shortwinged  Grillotalp. . . .    143 

Grillotalpa  brevipennis. 

Haliplus,  or  Sea-beeile  : 

Brownl)reasted  Haliple. ...     5-5 

Haliplus  immaculaticollis. 
12-pointed  Haliple 55 

Haliplus  iluodocimpunctatus. 

Haltica,  or  Leaper  : 

Cucumber  Haltice 135 

Haltica  cucumeris. 
Steelcolored  Haltice 135 

Haltica  chalybea. 
Wavystriped  Haltice 135 

Haltica  striolata. 

IIamatocerus,  or  Crookhorn  : 

Shady  Hamatocere 1G8 

Haraatocerus  purcis. 

Harpalus,  or  Dog-lcelh  : 
Bieolored  Harpaly 45 

Harpalus  bicolor. 
Fawncolored  Harpaly    ....      45 

Harpalus  faunus. 


Page 

45 


Straitsided  Harpaly  . . . 
Harpalus  plcuriticus. 
Wandering  Harpaly 46 

Harpalus  erraticus. 

Hepiolus,  or  Fevermoth  : 

Silverspotted  Hepiole 241 

Hepiolus  argentcomaculatus. 

Hesperia,  Hesperian  butterfly : 

Peck's  Hespery 216 

Hesperia  peckius. 

Hipparchia,  or  Hipparchian 

butterfly : 
Cloudy  Hipparchy 213 

Hipparchia  nephelc. 
Smooth  Hipparchy 213 

Hipparchia  alope. 

Hister,  or  Player-beetle  : 
Polished  Hister 66 

Hister  conformis. 

HopLiA,  or  Mailed  beetle  : 

Thrcebanded  Hoply 78 

Hoplia  trifasciata. 

Hylobius,  or  Wood-beeth  : 

Struggling  Hyloby 107 

Ilylobius  pales. 

Hydrocampa,  or  Watermoth  : 

Snowy  Hydroeamp    233 

Hydrocampa  uivalis. 

Hylurgus,  or  Woodeater  : 

Boring  Hylurge 112 

Hylurgus  terebrans. 

Ichneumon,  or  Himter-ioasp  : 

Shortbanded  Ichneumon   . .   193 
Ichneumon  brevicinctor. 

Ips,  or  Vine-beetle  : 

Foursigned  Ips 60 

Ips  quadrisignata. 
Shining  Ips    59 

Ips  sanguinolenta. 
Swathed  Ips 59 

Ips  fascia ta. 
Twospotted  Ips 60 

Ips  bipustulata. 

Ithycerus,  or  Straighthnrti : 

New- York  Ithyccro 110 

Ithycerus  novoliorac-cusis. 


Paf5 

181 


Leptis,  or  Slenderfly 

Lampyris,  or  Gloworm  : 
Angulate  Lampyre    89 

Lampyris  angulata. 
Blackening  Lampyre 89 

Lampyris  nigricans. 
Flathorned  Lampyre 89 

Lampyris  laticoruis. 
Lightening  Lampyre 90 

Lampyris  corrusca. 
Sparkling  Lampyi-e 89 

Lampyris  sciutillaus. 
Versicolored  Lampyre  ....      90 

Lampyris  versicolor. 

Lebia,  or  Kettlebug  : 

Blackbellied  Leby 42 

Lebia  atriventris. 
Emerald  Leby 43 

Lebia  smaragdula. 
Green  Leby 43 

Lebia  viridis. 

Lema,  or  Bleareye  : 

Threestriped  Leme 134 

Lema  trivittata. 

Leptura,  or  Thintail  : 

Downy  Lepture 127 

Leptura  subpubesccns. 
Eightpointed  Lepture 127 

Leptura  octopunctata. 
Greenish  Lepture 127 

Leptura  malachitica. 
Reddish  Lepture 127 

Leptura  rubrica. 
Striped  Lepture 1 26 

Leptura  vittata. 

LiBELLULA,  or  Drago?ifly  ; 

Handsome  Libellule 185 

Libellula  pulchcUa. 

LiMENiTis,  or  Border-butterfly : 

Artemis  Limenite 211 

Limenitis  artcmis. 
Stripefootod  Limenite 202 

Limenitis  dissippus. 
Wildeherry  Limenite 203 

Limenitis  Ursula. 

LocusTA,  or  Locust  : 

Caroline  Locust 145 

Locusta  Carolina. 

Cloudy  Locust 146 

Lamia,  or  Sorceress 124  ]         Locusta  nebulosa. 


Page 

Coralline  Locust 14G 

Locasta  corallina. 
Sulphureous  Locust 140 

Locusta  sulphiirea. 

LoxoT^ENiA,  or  Twisting-worm: 

Rose  Losotcny 250 

Loxota;uia  rosaceana. 

LucANUs,  or  Hornbetth  : 

Deer  Lueaa 66 

Lucanus  dama. 

Lyg^us,  or  Blackfly : 

Whitewinged  Lj'gey 169 

Lyga;us  leucopterus. 

Macbodactylus,  or  Longfooi  : 

Spinebreasted  Macrodactyl,      78 
Macrodactylus  subspinosa. 

Mentis,  or  Praying  beetle,  142 

Malttjea,  or  Maltese  huiterfly : 

Lighthouse  Melitey 212 

Melita;a  pharos. 
Phffiton  Melitey 212 

Melitfea  pba!ton. 

Meloe,  or  Spanishjly : 

Narrowchested  Jleloe    ...     97 
Meloe  angusticoUis. 

Midas,  or  Tumipjly : 
Threadlike  Midas 183 

Midas  filatu8. 

MiLEsiA,  or  Social-Jly  : 
Virginian  Milesy 183 

Milesia  virgiuiensis. 

MoNocHAMus,  or  Lonc-heetle  : 

Beautiful  Monochaine 123 

Monochamus  pulcher. 
Shielded  Monochame 123 

Monochamus  scutellatus. 
Spotted  Monochame 123 

Monochamus  maculosus. 
Tickling  Monochame 123 

Monochamus  titillator. 

MnscA,  or  Fleshfly: 

Carrion  Muse 181 

Musca  vomitoria. 

Mykmeleon,  or  Antlion  . ,   185 

Necrodes,  or  Sexton-beetle  : 

Surinam  Necrode 58 

Necrodes  surinamensis. 

[  Ageicultural  Report  — 


INDEX. 

Page 

NECHOPHORrs,  or  Undertaker  : 

American  Necrophorc .....  57 
Necroplioi'us  americaiius. 

Hairy  Necrophore 57 

Necrophorus  tomentosus. 

Pigmy  Necrophore 57 

Nccroplioiiis  pygniKUS. 

Nitidula,  or  Bright-beetle  : 

Doublespot  Nitidule 58 

Jiitidula  bipustulata. 

NocTUA,  or  Owlmot/i  : 

Market  Noctuy 246 

Noctua  nundina. 
Pearly  Noetuy 245 

Noctua  margaritata. 
Scaly  Noetuy 245 

Noctua  squamularis. 
Wavy  Noetuy   245 

Noctua  undularis. 

NoTioPHiLus,  or  Notion-beetle  : 

Bigeyed  Notiophile 52 

Notiophilus  porrectus. 

NoTONECTUS,  or  Backswimmev, 
166 
Odontata,  or  Toothed  beetle  : 

Shieldform  Odontate 130 

Odontata  scutellaris. 

CEdionychus,  or  Swellclaiv  : 

Breasted  Edionyche 135 

QSdionychus  thoracica. 

Omalisus,  or  Evenweb  : 

Reddish  Omalise 90 

Omalisus  coccinatus. 

Omophron,  or  Union-beetle  : 

Lipped  Homophron 52 

Omophron  labiatum. 
Tessellate  Homophron  ....     52 
Omophron  tessellatus. 

Oncideres,  or  Clawneck  : 

Girdling  Oncidere 123 

Oncideres  cingulatus. 

Onthophagus,  or  Dungeater  : 

Eggshaped  Onthophager  . .     68 

Onthophagus  ovatus. 
Hecate  Onthophager 68 

Onthophagus  hecate. 

Ofhion,  or  Snakewasp  : 

Clean  Ophion 197 

Ophion  purgatus. 

Vol.  v.]  36 


269 

Pose 

Longtailed  Ophion 196 

Ophion  macrui-um . 
Neat  Ophion 19G 

Ophion  niundus. 
Smooth  Ophion 196 

Ophion  glabratus. 

Orgyia,  or  Fat  homing -moth  : 

Whitebanded  Orgey 230 

Orgyia  leucostigma. 

OsMODERMA,  or  Scentsk/n  : 

Rough  Osmodenn 77 

Osraoderma  scaber. 

Pachyta,  or  Thickbody  : 
Heartshaped  Paehyte 1 28 

Pachyta  cordifera. 

Pamphila,  or  Lovely  biUterfly  : 

Meadow  Pamphile 215 

Pamphila  phyloeus. 

Pangus,  or  Planter-beetle  : 
Black  Pangy 46 

Pangus  caliginosus. 

Papilio,  or  Butterfly : 
Conjugal  Papilion 201 

Papilio  philenor. 
Stardotted  Papilion 200 

Papilio  asterjas. 
Turnus  Papilion 201 

Papilio  turnus. 

Parnhs,  or  Graashopper-beetle  : 

Sharppointed  Parny 56 

Parnus  fastigiatus. 

Toothed  Parny 56 

Parnus  crenatus. 

Pelecinus,  or  Hatcket-wasp  : 
Polishing  Pelecine 196 

Pelecinus  politur.ator. 

Pelidnota,  or  Leadmlored 

beetle  : 
Maculate  Pelidnote 77 

Pelidnota  maculata. 
Punctate  Pelidnote 76 

Pelidnota  punctata. 

Phal^na,  or  Caterpillar,   225, 
227,  228 

Blackoak  Phalene 245 

Phalfena  quercaria. 

Phan-kus,  or  Torch-beetle  : 

Butchering  Phaney 68 

Piiana?us  carnifex. 


270 

Page 

Phaneropteka,  or  Lightioing  : 

Narrowwinged  Phaueropter,  145 

Phaneroptera  augustifolia. 

Philampelus,  or  Vinelover  : 
Satellite  Philampely 219 

Philampelus  satellitia. 
Vineleaf  Philampely  .....   219 
Philampelus  pampiuatrix. 

Phkyganea,  or  Caddicejly  : 

Bandwinged  Phrygane ....    188 

Phiyganea  semifasciata. 

Phyllobius,  or  Leaf  beetle  : 

Tapelike  Phylloby 107 

Phyllobius  tasuiatus. 

Phyllophaga,  or  Lcafeater  : 

Drake's  Phyllophager 72 

Phyllophaga  drakii. 
Georgian  Phyllophager. ...     72 

Phyllophaga  georgicana. 
Haii-ychested  Phyllophager,     72 

Phyllophaga  pilosicoUis. 
Oak  Phyllophager 72 

Phyllophaga  quercina. 
Pitted  Phyllophager 72 

Phyllophaga  variolosa. 
Punctured  Phyllophager  . .     71 

Phyllophaga  hirticula. 

PiERis,  or  Muse-butt erjly  : 

Snowfooted  Pieris 205 

Pieris  nicippe. 

PiMPLA,  or  Longstinger  : 
Lunate  Pimpla 194 

Pimpla  lunator. 

PissoDES,  or  Piickpine  beetle  : 
Pine-eating  Pissode 108 

Pissodes  strobi. 

PiTHO,  or  Pythoness  : 

American  Pythoness 98 

Pitho  amerieanus. 

Platyceras,  or  Flathorn  : 
Pitchcolored  Platycere.    . .      6C 
Platyceras  piceus. 

Platyraster,  or  Broadbelly : 

Wheatfly  Platygaster 180 

Platygaster  lipulse. 

Platyphyllum,  or  Flatwing  : 
Concave  Platyphyl 144 

PKtyphyllum  concavuin. 


INDEX. 

Page 

Narrowwinged  Platyphyl . .  145 
Platyphyllum  angustifolium. 

Oblongwinged  Platyphyl  .  .  l45 
Platyphyllum  obloiigifolium. 

Pontia,  or  Seanymph  : 

Garden  Ponty   204 

Poutia  oleracea. 

Prionus,  or  Sawbeetle  : 
Broadbreasted  Priony  ....   115 

Priomis  laticollis. 
Pennsylvanian  Priony  ....   115 

Prionus  pennsylvanicus. 

Ptinus,  or  Bevourer  : 
PtobberPtiny    92 

Ptinus  fur. 

PuLEx,  or  Flea  : 

Boring  Pulice   148 

Pulex  penetrans. 

Tormenting  Pulice 148 

Pulex  irritans. 

Purpuricenus,  or  Purplebug  : 

Shouldered  Purpuricene . . .  126 
Purpuricenus  humeralis. 

Pyg.KEa,  or  Whitehead  : 

Whitefaced  Pygere 242 

Pygajra  albifrons. 

Pyrochroa,  or  Flamebug  : 

Fanshaped  Pyrochre 96 

Pyrochroa  flabellata. 

EEDuvius.or  Looseneck  . . .  169 
Khagium,  or  Berry-beetle  : 

Lined  Rhagy 126 

Rhagium  liueatum. 

Rhinosia,  or  Flatnosed  moth  : 

Apple  Rhinosy 254 

Rhinosia  pometella. 

RnvNCHiENus,  or  Bigsnout  : 

Plumeating  Rhynchene  ...  109 
Rhynchajnus  nenuphar. 

Saperda,  or  Fishlike  beetle  : 

Clothed  Saperdy   . , 121 

Sapertta  vestita. 
Rough  Saperdy 121 

Saperda  cnlcarata. 
Tridentate  Saperdy 122 

Saperda  tridentata. 
Tripunctate  Saperdy 122 

Saperda  tripunctata. 


Pag© 

White  Saperdy 121 

Saperda  Candida. 

Sarcophaga,  or  Flesheater  : 

Rural  Sarcophager 181 

Sarcojjbaga  georgina . 

Saturnia,  or  Saturnian  moth  : 

lo  Saturny 232 

Saturnia  io. 
Maia  Saturny 231 

Saturnia  maia. 

ScARAB.a;us,  or  Tumbleturd,  68 
Scarites,  or  Stone-beetle  : 

Underground  Scarite  .....     43 
Scarites  subterraneus. 

ScoLiA,  or  Bent  armed  wasp  : 

Eightspotted  Scoly . 197 

Scolia  octomaculata. 
Sandy  Scoly 197 

Scolia  fossilana. 

ScoLYTUS,  or 

Peartree  Scoly te 113 

Scolytus  pyri. 

Serica,  or  Silken-beetle  : 

Evening  Serice 71 

Serica  vespertina. 

Sesia,  or  Bnishji7iger  : 

Fuciform  Sesy 221 

Sesia  fusiformis. 
Grecian  Sesy 221 

Sesia  pelasgus. 

SiLPHA,  or  Carrion-beetle  : 
American  Silph , . . .     58 

Silpha  americaaa. 
New-York  Silph 58 

Silplia  noveboracensis. 
Tailed  Silph 57 

Silpha  caudata. 
Unequal  Silph 57 

Silpha  inequali.s. 

SiLVANus,  or  Weevil  : 

Surinamian  Silvane 105 

Silvanus  surinamensis. 

SiREx,  or  Woodwasp  ......   192 

Smerinthus,  or  Cordicing  : 

Tongueless  Smerinth 221 

Smerinthus  astylus. 

Smilia,  or  Shoeknife  : 
Aurieulate  Smily 15S 

Smilia  anriculata. 


INDEX. 


PMge 

Green  Smily 154 

Srailia  virklis. 
Spotted  Smily 153 

Srailia  guttata. 
Striped  Smily 154 

Smilia  vittata. 

Spectrum,  or  Ghostjly : 

Longlegged  Spectre 142 

Spectrum  femoratum. 

SpHjEroderus,  or  Ball-beetle  : 

Narrowmoutlied  Spherodere,    49 

Sphasroclerus  stenostomus. 

Sphex,  or  Spider-wasp  : 

Pennsylvania!!  Sphex 105 

Sphex  pennsylvanioa. 

Sphinx,  or  Hawkmoth  : 

Ashy  Sphinx 219 

Spliiiix  cinerea. 
Caroline  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  caroliuus. 
Cyclopian  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  brontes. 
Eightspotted  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  octomaculatus. 
Fivespotted  Sphinx 219 

Sphinx  quinquomaculatus. 
Fringetree  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  chionanthi. 

Potato  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  convoIvuH. 

Yme  Sphinx 218 

Sphinx  vitis. 

Spilosoma,  or  Spotbody  : 

Saltmarsh  Spilosome 225 

Spilosoma  acr.Ta. 

Waternymph  Spilosome  .  . .   228 
Spilosoma  nais. 

Wedgemarked  Spilosome  . .   228 
Spilosoma  cunea. 

White  Spilosome 226 

Spilosoma  arge. 

Staphyli.nus,  or  Carrotshaped 

beetle  : 
Bluewinged  Staphyline. ...      61 

Stapliylinus  cyannipennis. 
Hairy  Staphyline 61 

Stniihyliiiiis  villosus. 
yellowtailed  Staphyline  ...      61 

Stapliylinus  chrysunis. 


Pago 


Stenocorus,  or  Narroweye  : 

Cinctured  Stenocore 116 

Stenocorus  cinctus. 

Tabanus,  or  Gadfly  : 

American  Tabany 182 

Tabanus  americanus. 

Leadcolored  Tabany 182 

Tabanus  plumbeus. 

Telamona,  or  Crestfly : 

Beech  Telamon 154 

Telamona  fagi. 
Hazle  Telamon 155 

Telamona  coryli. 

Level  Telamon 155 

Telamona  reclivata. 
Oak  Telamon 155 

Telamona  querci. 
Onecolored  Telamon 154 

Telamona  unicolor. 
Ornate  Telamon 155 

Telamona  ornata. 
Thornapplc  Telamon 155 

Telamona  craticgi. 
Turreted  Telamon 155 

Telamona  turriculata. 
Uphill  Telamon 155 

Telamona  aeclivata. 
Woodbine  Telamon 154 

Telamona  ampelopsldis. 

Telephorus,  or  Netca/rrier,    90 
Tenebrio,  or  Nightwalker  : 

Crooklegged  Tenebrion. . . .     99 

Tenebrio  curvipes. 
Dusky  Tenebrion 99 

Tenebrio  obscunis. 
Mealeating  Tenebrion 99 

Tenebrio  molitor. 

Tenthredo,  or  Saw-wasp,    191 
Tetraopes,  or  Four  spot-beetle  : 

Foureyed  Tetraope 124 

Tetraopes  tetrophthalma. 

Tetrix,  or  Pheasant-locust,  14:7 

Tettigonia,  or  Little-cricket  : 
Grapevine  Tettigony 158 

Tettigonia  vitis. 
Rosebush  Tettigony 158 

Tettigonia  rosa^. 


271 

Page 

Thanasimus,  or  Death-beetle  : 
Doubtful  Thanasime 91 

Thanasimus  dubius. 

Thecla,  or  Blue-butterfly : 

Hopeating  Theele 214 

Thecla  humuli. 
Puny  Theele 214 

Thecla  acis. 

Thelia,  or  Nipplejly : 
Twodottcd  Thely 156 

Thelia  binotata. 
Twospotted  Thely 156 

Thelia  bimaculata. 
Yellowfooted  Thely 156 

Thelia  lutipcs. 

Thrips,  or  Stijigleaf. 160 

Tinea,  or  Bookmoth  : 
Graiuskinning  Tiney 256 

Tinea  granella. 
Honeycomb  Tiney 253 

Tinea  cerella. 

ToMicus,  or  Woodcutter  : 
Gnawing  Tomice 112 

Tomicus  exesus. 
Peartree  Tomice 113 

Tomicus  pyri. 
Pinetree  Tomice 113 

Tomicus  pini. 

ToRTRix,  or  Twister 250 

Trechus,  or  Rough-beetle : 
Conjoined  Trechy 48 

Treclius  conjunctus. 
Girded  Trechy 48 

Trechus  cinctus. 

Tremex,  or  Boring  wasp  : 

Pigeon  Tremex 192 

Tremex  columba. 

Trichinus,  or  Hairbeetle  : 

Assimilate  Trichine 71 

Trichinus  .assimilans. 
Greenish  Trichine 71 

Trichinus  viridans. 

Trochilium,  or  Wheelnwth  : 
Naked  Trochily 223 

Trochilium  denudatum. 

Trox,  or  Cheiving  beetle  : 
Capillary  Trox 71 

Trox  capillaris. 


272 

Page 

Swinish  Trox 70 

Trox  porcatus. 

Upis,  or  Slender  mealworm  : 

Pennsjlvanian  Upis 99 

Upis  pennsylvanica. 

Ueocehus,  or  Horntail : 

Whitehorned  Uroeere 192 

Urocerus  albicornis. 


INDEX. 

Page 

Vanessa,  or  Sunny  butterjly : 

Antiope  Vaness 206 

Vanessa  antiopa. 

Atalanta  Vaness 209 

Vanessa  atalanta. 
Comma  Vaness 208 

Vanessa  comma. 
Manycolored  Vaness   208 

Vanessa  polychloros. 
Nettle  Vaness 209 

Vanessa  urtic». 


Page 

Progne.  Vaness 207 

Vanessa  progne. 
Semicolon  Vaness 207 

Vanessa  interrogationis. 

Vespa,  or  Wasp  : 

Social  Wasp 195 

Vespa  fraterna. 

Xylocopa,  or  Car  pent  er-ivasp  : 

Virginian  Xylocope 197 

Xylocopa  virginica. 


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PLATE  1. 


i'lSi.  1.     PiMPLA  LUNATOE  (male). 

Female  perforating  the  trunk  of  a  tree. 

Female  at  rest. 

Male  at  rest. 

Antennic  magnified. 

Tarsi  magnified. 

LarvoB,  natural  size. 


1_4,,I?IMPZA  ,  tunatar  (male)     3-S,PIMI'I.A,luna^ffr  (  foTaa 
O'f^rWfinruie'.  trutff*  h.  Tarsi .  -ma^*  cAZarva^.  mtt 


kI'<...«ii«m|mi>'>' 


« 


m-l 


PLATE  t 

4'V-   I-      CaLANI>KA    (JRANARIA. 

'2,  ii  a,  2  *,  2  ('.     Sylvanvs  .suRiXA.MKNsib;, 

y,  o  a,  :!  i,  3  f.     Br.TJOiius  risi. 

4,  4  a.     Brentiius  keptentkionalis  (nialo  iiml  feiimic 

•'>,  5  a,  0  i.    Balani.nus  rectus. 

'i,  ()  a,  (j  6.     HvLoiuus  pai.es. 

1,   1  a,   1  b.      CoNOTEACHELUe  nenufhak. 

^.    Clbrus  apiarius. 


t-ei 


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Is 


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PLATE  3. 


-'   Vig.  1.  Telemona  turriculata. 

O  2.  Telemona  cRATiBoi. 

O  3.  Telemona  unicolor. 

4.  Telemona  querci. 

5.  Telemona  acclivata. 

6.  Telemona  cokyli. 

''^  7.  Telemona  reclivata. 

O   8.  Telemona  ornata. 

O    9.  Telemona  ampelopsidis. 

O  10.  Telemona  faoi. 

'^'  11.  Smilia  guttata. 

('12.  Smilia  auriculata. 

'' '  13.  Smilia  viridis. 

f   14.  Smilia  vittata. 

(j  15.  Thblia  bimaoulata. 

r  16.  Ceresa  dioeros. 

C    17.  Ceresa  bubalus. 


Jf 


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V 


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i 


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Teta/nona.  turrteuloMi 


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PLATE  4. 

Figs.  I  &  2.  Cecidomyia  DESTUrcTOR  (male  and  female) 

a.  Segments  of  the  abdomen. 

b,  c.  Antennae  magnified. 

d,  e.  The  same,  natural  size. 

/.  Profile  view  of  the  head,  palpi,  and  origin  of  the  aiitennse. 

g.  Dorsal  view  of  the  worm. 

h.  Of  the  flaxseed  state. 

i.  Ventral  view  of  the  same. 

j.  Lateral  ditto. 

k-  Dorsal  view  of  the  dormant  larva. 

(.  Ventral  view  of  the  pnpa. 

A,  B  Wheatstalka  infested  with  the  insect. 

VI,  VVheatstalk  broken  away,  showing  the  young  worms. 

3,  4.  Cecidomyia  bobinia  (pupa  enlarged).        5.  Mouth 

6.  Larva.  7.  Wing. 


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iremalil        \i  Seaitand  mouUv  7  wuig 


PLATE  5. 

V\^.  1.      BUPRESTIS   FASCIATA. 

a.  Antennae  magnified, 

b.  Tarsi  magnified. 

2.  BnrRESTis  dentipes.  i 

3.  buprestis  femobata. 

4.  buprestis  divaricata. 
6.  buprestis  virginicus. 

6.  Alaus  oculattjs. 

7.  Elatee  ? 

^.      BuPRESTIS. 

9.    Elater  glandicolob. 

10.  Dtticus  habrisii. 

k.  Anterior  tarsus,  showing  the  sucking  disks 

11.  Tetraopes  tetrophthalma. 

12.  BoLETOPHAGUs  CORNUTUS  (male). 

13.  Macrodacttlus  subspinosa  (rosebug). 

■m.  Antennae. 

I.    Tarsus  magnified. 

14.  Bpicauta  vittata. 


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PLATE  6, 

Fiss.  1  &  2.  Attacus  PROMETHEUS  (male  and  female). 

3.  Larva. 

4.  Cocoons. 

5.  Vanessa  antiopea. 

6.  Larva.  -  ^!^^^^|k 

7.  Pupa.  '"*" 

H,  9,  10.  LoxoTjENIA  rosaceana  {the  leafroller),  in  the  perfect,  pupa  and 
larval  states. 
11.         Eggs  deposited  upon  bark. 


PLATE  7. 

Fig.  1.     CoREUS  TRISTIS.         a.  Proboscis. 

2.  Pentamona . 

3.  ReduviusI         h.  Proboscis,     c.  Tarsi. 
4,  5.  Spectrum  femoratum  (male  and  female) 

t.  Caudal  appendages  of  the  male. 
/.      Ditto  of  the  female. 


Rich*  H  Pease 


PLATE  s 


Vie.  1.  Ol.YTUS   OOI.OiMjS? 

2.  Cl.TTUS   NOBir.IS. 

8.  Cl.YTUS  ? 

4.  Cl.YTUS    UNDATU8. 

r).  Clyti'S  . 

().  Cl.YTUS  ? 

7.  Ol>VTrS   HAMAXUS. 

^.  ThANASIMUS    DUBIIS. 

9.  Elaphipion  ? 

10.  Leptura  rubrica. 

11.  Leptura  scbpubescens. 

12.  Pachyta  cordifera. 

13.  Leptura  vittata. 


n 


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PLATE  9. 

Fig.  1.  Geyllus  ?  (female). 

2.  Phaneroptera  angustipolium. 

O  3.  Cicada  septendecim. 

i.  ACRYDIUM   PEMORRUBRUM. 

d  5-  Cicada  canicularis. 

O  6.  Cicada  noveboracensis. 

7.  LoctrsTA  nebulosa? 

^.  Plattphyllum  concavum. 

0.  locusta  carolina. 


PI -9 


PLATE  l(i 

Fig.  1.  KhAGIUM   LINEATrJI. 

2.  Necrophorxjs  tomentosus. 

o.  Tenebrio  molitor. 

4.  ArEODA   LANIGERA. 

5.  SCARITES   . 

6.  PeLIDNOTA   PUNCTATA. 

7.  Pangus  caliginosus. 

8.  Calosoma  scrutator. 

y.  Phtllophaga  quercina. 


i'l  IIJ 


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4 


PLATE  11. 

Fig.  1.      CoCClNELJ.A    10-MACULATA. 

a.  Antennae  magnified. 

b.  Tar.sus  magnified, 
c,  d.  Larva  and  pupa. 

2.  COCCINELLA   . 

3.  COCCINELLA    12-NOTATA. 

4.  COCCINELLA    20-MACULATA. 

5.  COCCINELLA    5-SIGNATA. 

6.  COCCINELLA    9-NOTATA. 

7.  COCCINELLA   INCABNATA. 

8.  COCCINELLA    BOREALIS. 

9.  COCCINELLA    IMMACULATA. 

10.  CoCCINELLA   BIMACCLATA. 

11.  COCCINELLA    BINOCULATA. 


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^  PLAT£  II. 

Pig.  1.  Geotrupes  .     / 

2.  Geotrupes  MiCROPMotrs. 

3.  Geotrupes  spi.ENDiNs. 

4.  Cetonia  fulgida 

5.  PhANjEUS   CARNIJilX. 

6.  Cetonia  inda. 

7.  Lucanus  DAM^(male). 

8.  COPRIS   CAROlNA. 

9.  OsMODERMA^YNODUS)  SCABER. 
10.  Pr.ATYOERA  PICEUS  (male). 

\l  —         (female). 

12.  Galeruc  calmarien^is. 


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PLATE  13. 

'1    Fig.  1.  Smilia  . 

2.  Smilia  . 

0  3.  GaRGARA   PUBESfiENS. 

C  4.  Gargara  discoidalis. 

<3    -i.  Gargara  nigricephala. 

(3  6.  Gargara  majus. 

O   7.  Gargara  pallidiprontis. 

a    8.  Gargara  querci. 

O    0.  Gargara  inermis. 

(j    1(1.  Entilia  concava. 

c^ll.  Entilia  sintjata. 

012.  Gargara  pectoralis. 

(5  13.  Entilia  emarginata. 

O  14.  Ctrtosia  arcuata. 

0   15.  Ctrtosia  fuliginosa. 

i)  16.  Ctrtosia  intermedia. 

(T^  17.  Enchophyllum  binotata. 

C  18.  Enchophyllum  latipes. 


n  1.) 


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PLATE  14. 

Fig.  1.      CURYSOMELA    IMMACULATA  ? 

2.  Chrtsomela  .  ^^"^"  •.^■■' 

3.  Chrtsomela  • 

4.  Galeruca  . 

5.  Chrtsomela  tremula. 

6.  7,  8,  9.     Larva  and  pupa. 

10.  Chrtsomela  scalaris. 

11.  Cassida  clavata. 

12.  Chrtsomela  philadelvhia, 

13.  Chrtsomela  . 

14.  Chrtsomela  c^rclipennis. 

•  15.      EUMOLPtrS   AURATUS. 

16.    Chrtsomela  trimacularis. 

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PLATE  15, 

Fig.  1.       LlBELHILA? 

2.  LlBELLULA  ? 

3.  Msnj<A  . 

4.  LiBELLULA,    iiarJ    PULCHELLA. 

5.  LlBBLLCLA    PULCHEIJ.A.  f.    Larv 


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PLATE  16, 

Fig.  1.  Saperda  oalcarata. 

2.  monochamtjs  . 

3.  Saperda  Candida. 

4.  purpuricenus  humeralis. 

5.  monochamus  titillator. 

6.  Desmocerus  palliatus. 

7.  Saperda  tripunctata. 

8.  ElaPHIDION    PUTATOR  (VILLOSUM). 

9.  Cl.YTUS    PICTUS. 

10.  Clytus  speciosus. 

11.  Clytus  oaprea. 


Pil> 


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3, 


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PLATlil  17. 

Fig.   I.  ClCINDKI.A   ALBOHIETA. 

2.  CiCINDELA    GENEHOSA. 

o.  ClOINCELA    12-GUTTATA. 

4.  C'iCINDELA    TATRt'ELA. 

5.  CiCINDELA    H^MORRHOIDALIS. 

6.  CiCINDELA   CASJPESTRIS. 

7.  CiCINDELA    GUTTATA. 

8.  Mouth  and  appendages  of  C.  campeslris. 

9.  10,  11.  Lavva  and  pupa  of  ditto  (European). 

12.  CiCINDELA   WLGARIS. 

13.  CiCINDELA   ALBILABRIS. 

14.  CiCINDELA   . 

15.  CiCINDELA?  (Maryland). 


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PLATE  18. 

Pig.  1.  LeBIA    VIUIDIS. 

2.  Lebia  atrivirens. 

3.  Lebia  smaraoduj.a. 

4.  Brachinus  cephalotes. 

5.  Brachinus  confokmis. 
C.  Brachinus  fumans. 

7.  Brachinus  perplexus. 

S.  Agonum  octopunctata. 

9.  Agonum  cupripenne. 

10.  Ancho.menus  extensicoixis. 

11.  Clivina  lineolata. 

12.  GaLERITA  AMERICANA. 

13.  CiMINDIS   PILOSA. 

14.  SCARITES   SUBTERRANEUS. 

15.  DysCHIRIUS   GiLOBULOSUS. 

16.  Calathus  gkegarius. 


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PLATE  19. 


Fig.  1.  P<EC1LLUS    CHAJ.CITES. 

2.  poecillus  lucublanda. 

3.  Feronia  styoica. 

4.  Feronia  adoxa. 

"i.  Agoniderus  pallipks. 

ti.  ANTSODAf'TYLUS    BALTIMOHHil 

7.  Treohus  C0NJUNl'1-1:.S. 

5.  Trechus  cinctus. 

9.  Anisodactylus  agricoi.lis. 

10.  Anisodactylus  Rusiica-fj. 

11.  AmARA   IMPUNCTICOLLIS. 

12.  Adelosia  muta. 

13.  Harpalus  ERRATICOS. 
li.  Harpalus  faunus. 
15.  Harpalus  bicolor. 

Hi.  Harpalus  pleuriticus. 


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PLATE  m 

Fig.  1.  Elaphkus  rusoakius. 

2.  Chlcenius  tomentosus. 

3.  BeMBIDIUM    8T01LI-ARK. 

4.  Bembidium  honestum. 

5.  Chlcenius  nemobalis. 

6.  Chlcenius  emarginatus. 

7.  Chlcenius  sericeus. 

8.  Chlcenius  lithophilus. 

9.  Bembibium  inoknatum. 

10.  Bembidium  tripunctatum. 

11.  Omophron  labratum. 

12.  —  —  var.  TESSELLATOS. 

\d.  notiophilus  porrectus. 

14.  Bembidium  variegatum. 

15.  HaLIPLUS    12-PUNCTATUS. 

10.  Haliplus  immaculaticollis. 


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PLATE  21. 

Fig.  1.  LAJirYsis  ooiuiusCA. 

2.  Lampyris  laticornis. 

3.  Lampykis  nigricans. 

4.  Lampy'kis  unguj.ata. 

5.  Lampyris  .scintillakis. 

6.  Lampyris  VEEi^icoLOR. 

7.  Dictyoptera  reticulata. 

8.  DiCTYOPTERA   TERiUNAI.IS. 

9.  DlOffiLUS   DILATATDS. 

10.  SPIliERODERUS   STENOSTO:\!US. 

11.  Cakabu.s  VINCTUS. 

12.  Carabus  servatus. 

13.  DlCffiLUS  elongatus. 

14.  Cychrtts  viDurs. 

l^.  CaLOoOJIA   CALIDini. 

10.  CaEAEUS   LIMBATU.S. 


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PLATE  %l 

Fig.  1.  Onciderus  cingulatus. 

2.  CUCPJUS   CLAVIPES. 

3.  SlLPHA   AMERICANA. 

4.  Necrodes  surinamensis. 

5.  Necrophaqus  ptgmeu.s. 

6.  SiLPHA   INEQUALIS. 

7.  SiLPHA   CAtTDATA. 

8.  Neorophagus  americanus. 

9.  silpha  noveboracensis. 


PI.  22 


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PLATE  23. 

Fig.  1.  NiTlDULA   BIPUSTULATA. 

2.  Engts  fasciata. 

3.  Ips  sanguinolenta. 

4.  Ips  fasciata. 

5.  DeRMESTES   LARDARirS. 

6.  Ips  quadrisignata. 

7.  Parnus  fastigiatus. 

8.  Ips  bipttstttlatus. 

9.  Elmts  crenatis. 


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PLATE  U 

Fig.  1.  TrOX    OAPILLARIS. 

2.  CrEMASTOCHEILTTS   UENTZll. 

3.  Trox  porcatus. 

4.  hoplia  tripasciata. 

5.  Trichinus  viridans. 

6.  euciilora  ccelebs. 

7.  ShISOTROGCS   GEOROIANICA. 

8.  EuCHI.ORA    ATRATU.S. 

9.  Herica  vespeutina. 


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PLATE  25. 

Fig.  1.  DiCHELONYCHA   ELONGATA. 

2.  Dendroides  canadensis. 

3.  Plattceras  piceus. 

4.  Cantharis  atrata. 
.5.  osmoderma  scabee. 

*3.  Pyrochroa  plabellata. 

7.  PiTHO    AMERICANUS. 

8.  Upis  pennsylvanicus. 

9.  Rhisotroqus  pilosicollis. 


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PLATE  m 

Fig.  1.  iEoERiA  EXITIOSA  (male). 

2.  Pupa  of  the  same. 

3.  Cocoon. 

4.  Larva. 

5.  .^GERiA  EXITIOSA  (female). 

6.  Vespa  fraterna. 

7.  Pelecinus  politurator. 

8.  Undescribed  ? 

9.  Sphex  pennstlvanica. 

10.  scolia  fossilana. 

11.  CiMBEX   UiMI. 


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PLATE  27. 

Fig.  1.  Xtlocarpa  viroinica. 

2.  CffiLIOXIS   ANNULARIS. 

8.  Ophion  glabratus. 

4-  Ophion  mundus. 

5.  Ophion  macrurum. 

6.  Ophion  pbrgatus. 

7.  ICHNErMON  . 

8.  PiMPLA  . 

9.  Ichneumon. 

10.  Ichneumon  brevicinctor. 

11.  Undescribed. 

12.  Undescribed. 


PLATE  28. 

Fig.  1.  StRPHUS   PHILADELPHICnS. 

2.  Undeseribed  ? 

S.  MiLESIA   VIRQINIENSIS. 

4.  Undeseribed  ? 

5.  Laphira  thoracica. 

6.  Laphira  tergissa. 

7.  MuscA  (Caliphora)  vosiitoria. 

8.  Laphira?  sericea. 

9.  Sarcophaoa  georgina. 

10.  Tabanus  plcmbeus. 

11.  Midas  pilatus. 

12.  Tabanus  americanus. 


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PLATE  m 

Fig.  1.  Leptis  ornata  ? 

2.  Tabanus  lineola? 

3.  Laphiea  (undescribed?). 

4.  Leptis  quadeata. 

5.  Ctenophora  trimaculata  (female) 

6.  Strphtis  . 

7.  Aphis  of  the  Peach  leaf. 

8.  SiNEA    STIMTILATRIX. 

9.  CnRYSiDica;  (family). 

10.  Leptis  . 

11.  PROCTOTRUPIDiE  (family). 


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K  ,tirm\rmti,4Tr,  Cel . 


PLATE  30. 

Fig.  1.  Phytocoris  bellus. 

2.  Phttocokis  coccineus. 

3.  Pentatoma  caknifex. 

4.  xVcanthecoma  BPiNOSA  (young). 

5.  Pentatoma  pennsylvanica  (young 
(5.  Hammatocekus  purcis. 

7.  Phytocoris  lineolattjs. 

8.  Pentatoma  (young). 

9.  Lyg^tjs  tuecicus,  var.  a.. 


PLATE  31. 

Fig.  1.  Cantharis  atrata  (Ms). 

2.  Elater  (Athous)?  . 

3.  Staphylinus  chrysurus. 

4.  OnTHOPHAQUS   HECATE. 

5.  CyCLOUS   AMERICANA. 

6.  Staphylinus  cyannipennis. 

7.  Leptura  malachitica. 

8.  HiSTER   CONFORMIS. 

9.  Feronia  . 

10.  Tenebrio  molitor. 

11.  BuPKESTis  (Ancylocueira)  striata. 

12.  CoPRis  . 


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PLATE  32. 

Fig.  1.  Teemex  columba  (female). 

2.  Tremex  (male). 

3.  Urocerus  albicornis. 

4.  Mtrmeleon  (autlion). 

5.  Larva  of  the  antlion,  upperside. 

6.  Larva  of  the  antlion,  underside. 

b.   Pupa  case  of  the  same. 
a.  Sand-funnel,  or  trap. 

7.  Phrtganea  semifasciAta. 

8.  Hesperia  peckius. 

9.  Sesia  pelasgus. 

9  a.   Phrtganea  semifasciata. 
10.     Sesia  fuciformis. 


"-       ?      / 


K  KmnioTis.lr  del. 


I.ilh  of  Rich''  P.  Peaae.Alhiinv 


^ 


PLATE  m. 

1.  LlMENITlS   URSULA. 

2.  Underside  of  the  same. 

3,  5,   6.      HlPPAKCHlA   NEPHELE. 

4,  7.      HiPPAECHIA  ALOPE. 

8.    Ithtcekus  noveboracensis. 


J^ 


E  Eminons.Jr  del 


LitK  of  Kicli'^H  Pease.  Albany 


PLATE  U. 

Fig.  1.  PODABRUS  MODESTUS. 

'2.  StENOCORTJS   CINCTU3. 

3.  Telephorus  . 

4.  Sapeeda  vestita. 

5.  Prionus  laticollis. 

6.  Saperda  tridenta. 

7.  Saperda  . 

8.  monochamus  pttsillus. 
0.  Cerambix  (undescribed?). 

10.  Prionus  pennstlvanicus. 

11.  Leptitra  . 


\  . 


V'. 


PLATE  35. 

Fig.  1.  COLIAS   PHILODICE. 

2.  Ditto,  lower  side  (female). 

3.  Vanessa  interrogationis. 

4.  COLIAS   PHILODICE  (male). 

5.  Vanessa  interrogationis. 

6.  PiERis  NICIPPE  (under  side). 

7.  PiERis  NICIPPE  (ujjper  side). 

8.  Caterpillar  of  Vanessa  interrogationis. 

9.  CoLiAS  PHILODICE  (upper  side,  female). 


<<;-' 


y 


=^sJ5^^ 


Lithof  RicK'H, Pease, Arto 


ijfch 


PLATE  36. 

Pig.  1.  Drtocampa  pellucida  (female). 

2.  Phaljena  qtjercaria  (female). 

3.  Dryocampa  pellucida  (male). 

4.  Phal^na  queecaria  (male). 

a.  Pupa  of  Drtocampa. 

b.  Pupa  of  Phal^na. 

c.  Caterpillar  of  Drtocampa. 

d.  Caterpillar  of  PHALiENA. 


E.Einmon.s  .Jr.!  el. 


Lith.of  Rich.HPeaae  Albarty 


PLATE  37. 

Fig.  1.     Phal^na  (Orgtia)  leucostigma  (male) 

c.  b.  Pupa. 

c.     Female. 
/.     Caterpillar. 

2.  Phal^na  nebstria  (female). 

3.  Phal^na  (Pyg.sra)  albiprons  (male). 

4.  Phal^na  neustria  (male). 

d.  Pupa. 

g.  Caterpillar. 

5.  Phal^na  albifrons. 

e.  Pupa. 

Ji.  Caterpillar. 


£  .immoTLS.  Jr.  D  el . 


Lith  of  Kicli^HTease  Al'ba.iLj 


PLATE  38. 

Fig.  1.     Danatts  plexippus. 
e.    Caterpillar. 

d.  Pupa. 

2.  Sphinx  ocxomaculatfs. 

a.  Caterpillar. 
h.   Pupa. 

3.  Papilio  ttjknus. 

4.  Endomis  tittrus. 

e.  Caterpillar. 
/.  Pupa. 


PI  38. 


LitK  0  f  Bion^  H.Ie  as  e .  Alt  a.ny. 


PLATE  39. 

Fig.  1.      AtTACUS   LUNA. 

a.  Pupa. 

b.  Caterpillar. 

2.     Saturnia  maia  (male  and  female). 
c,  d.  Caterpillar, 
e.     Pupa. 


E.EinmoiLs.JrDel. 


ith.of  HT3h*H  Pease, Albaiuy. 


PLATE  40, 

Fig.  1.  Sphinx  buontes. 

2.  greometra  argentata. 

3.  Glaucopis  pholus. 

4.  Sjierinthus  asttltjs. 

5.  DrTOCAMPA   VIRGINIENSIS  {vel   PELLtJCIDA?). 

6.  Geometra  serkata. 

7.  Dryocampa  imperialis. 


f  1  *o. 


i.  SBn.-m  0  n  fl ,  Jr  D  el . 


LitiL  of  RroK"?^  H. Pease,  All) any 


PLATE  41. 

Fig.  1  PHALiENA   DIONE. 

2.  Spilosoma  ACR^aiA  (male). 

3.  Spilosoma  ar«e. 

4.  PUALiENA    DIO.NE  {vd  Ap.CTIA    VIRGO) 

5.  Spilosoma  acrjea  (female). 

G.  Caterpillar  of  Phal^na  dione. 

7.  Spilosoma  cunba. 

8.  Pupa  of  Phaljina  dione. 
!1.  Spilosoma  nais. 

10.  Bcpalus  catenarius. 

11.  Spilosoma  egle. 

do.  EuCIIiETES   EGLE. 


Tl-  4^1 


a. 


EEirrLTTT-Ons,  Jt-.DbI. 


IiibK.o£  IlicTx4H:.Pea.se,AnDaiLy. 


-i^J», 


PLATE  m. 

Fig.  1.  NOCTUA   SQUAMULARIb. 

2.  Qeometra  transversalis. 

3.  Erebus  edusa. 

4.  NoCTUA   CNDULARIS 

5.  Catocala  affinis. 

6.  NOCTCA  lunata. 

7.  NoCTUA  (AcONTIA)  NrWDINA. 

8.  Catocala  epione. 

9.  NoCTUA  (AcONTIA)  MARGAEITATA. 

10.  Sphinx  Carolina. 


E  .Emin.ona.  Jr.  II  el 


iitluof  "RictL^fl  P ease. Alb iny. 


/     * 


»'% 


m 


*  PLATE  43. 

Fig.  1,  3.  Thecla  acis. 

2.     limenitis  arthemi.s. 

4,  7.  MelitjEa  phjeton. 

5,  6.  Melit^a  phakos. 

8.  Phal^na  phyllira. 

9.  limenitis  arthemis. 
10.     Callimorpha  epimenxs. 


^^^ 


;^w^ 


w  '^SSP 


ri' 


V 


\        / 


51:^ 


^M^ 


E.Emjinons  JrDel. 


litK  of  B.ioti.^Hrease.Al'barvv. 


tm 


m^' 


PLATE  44. 

Fig.  1.       AtTACUS    POLYPHEMUS. 

2.  Sphinx  (Philampilus?)  I'AMPiNATRix. 

3.  Catocala  amasia. 

4.  Attacus  cecropia. 


^     J 


m. 


K  Kmtnons.Jr  Del 


lith  of   Rich^  H  Pease  Albdnv 


^ 


PLATE  45. 

Fig.  1.  Clisiocampa  amehicana. 

2.  Agrotis  . 

3.  Geometra  . 

4.  Arctia  virginica. 

5.  PhILAjVIPELUS  satellitia. 

6.  7,  8.  Undescribed? 

9.     BoMBYX?  (undescribed). 

10.  Agrotis  . 

11.  Agrotis  .  ■ 


'N 


E.KmrruriJ.Ji-  Del 


Lxth  or  RicH^H  Pease.  Albanv 


PLATE  46. 


Fig.  1,  2 

.  Cynthia  cAHDri. 

a.  Pupa. 

h.   Caterpillar. 

3,8. 

Vanessa  uetic^? 

a.  Pupa. 

h.   Caterpillar. 

4. 

Chbtsophanus  phleas. 

5. 

DeIOPEIA   BELLA. 

6. 

Undescribed? 

7. 

Blatta  nivba. 

V14i&. 


^ 


^^\  \  ! 


'■X-^ 


EEmTTvona,  Jr.  del. 


I. ilh, of  Rich'^H  Pease. Albany 


PLATE  47. 

Fig.  1,  2.    LiMENITIS   DISSIPPTJS. 

3.  Callimobpha  parthenice'. 

4.  Caepocapsa  pomonella. 

5.  Callimorpha  virguncula. 

6.  Eggs  of  the  American  tent-caterpillar  (Clisiocampa  americana). 

7.  Adela  degeerella. 

8.  eudbtas  grata. 


PL, 47. 


K  Ertunona.Jr  del 


lilh  of  R:cV  H  Fease.  Albajiv 


-B 


'    a 
•TV 


■>5 


